HV 






The cAds of the cApostles 
of the Sea 



AN EIGHTY YEARS' RECORD 

OF THE. WORK OF THE 

AMERICAN SEAMEN'S 
FRIEND SOCIETY 




"The Sea Our Parish' 




Glass ^SOd*/- 
Brink - ft 6 V 



PRESENTED/BY 






The Acts of the Apostles 
of the Sea 



An Eighty Years' Record 
of the Work of the 



American Seamen's Friend Society 




py>* 



H 



r^HIS modest booklet of the American Seamen's 
*- Friend Society's efforts makes no claims to be a 
full history of its eighty years' work ashore and afloat. 
It is only a brief resume and setting forth of some of 
the important things done at home and abroad. Nat- 
urally, many places, events, and personalities have not 
been mentioned. This omission is not due to igno- 
rance of them, but solely because space and the ner- 
vous haste of our day preclude the possibility of a 
lengthy report being read. The tale is not finished. 
Our chaplains are writing new chapters, the Acts of 
the Apostles of the Sea. These chapters will continue 
to be written until the sea shall be no more. 

George McPherson Hunter, 

Secretary. 



ii 



SEA LIFE IN 1828 . 

When the American Seamen's Friend Society was founded, steam navi- 
gation, as we know the term, was not in existence. A few venturesome 
souls had crossed the Atlantic Ocean without the means that God had pro* 
vided, i. e., the winds, and adventurers in steamers were regarded, in 
the way we now regard the Arctic explorers. Very much of the world was 
unknown, unvisited, and unopened to the traders. China, except a few 
treaty ports, was closed. Japan was sealed. Africa was unexplored and 
visited chiefly by slavers. Australia was in its infancy. Thousands of the 
beautiful islands on the broad Pacific Ocean were unknown and un- 
charted and those known were inhabited by cannibal tribes. To cross the 
Atlantic meant a voyage of between twenty and thirty days with thirty 
discomforts and dangers to be faced. The Pacific Seaboard with its 
marvelous California, and the great rich States of Oregon and Washing- 
ton, was more remote than the islands of New Zealand in our modern 
life. 

Long sea voyages to unknown countries in small ships dependent on the 
vagaries of winds, exposed to gales, tropic heat, and Arctic ice, was the 
lot of the sailor. Captains of vessels were navigators, pilots, traders, and 
men of diplomacy. Mates were men of executive ability, seamen, quick 
and expedient, able to handle sails and men. If he handled them both in 
the same fashion we must let bygones be bygones, for the life on ship- 
board went roughly then. Sailors were sailors able to "hand reef and 
steer," keen-eyed, strong-limbed, deep-chested men, albeit tatooted over- 
much — it was the way of the sailor-man. He was a poorly paid, highly 
skilled man. Life for him was hard at sea. For captains were captains 
and orders were obeyed or men were carried below broken, mangled, and 
bleeding. Might was right and there were no rights for sailor-men when 
steam was discovered. 

In the late twenties and early thirties, when some "respectable and pious 
citizens were organizing themselves into an American Seamen's Friend 
Society, Sailors' Boarding Houses were managed by men who feared not 
God, man, Board of Health, nor the laws of decency and hygiene. Aboard 
ship there was only one law, the will of the captain. Sailors were strung 
up and flogged if the captain thought it necessary and desirable. One 
of the chaplains in the United States Navy expressed a stray wish for 
the men to be flogged somewhere else than at the gratings and some other 
time than the evening, for their cries disturbed his evening meditations ! 



4 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

It is true a special statute of the United States imposed a fine of $1,000 
or five years in prison for maltreating a sailor, but the testimony of a 
sailor was too often written on sand. Brutality was an accepted con- 
dition of sea life. Tradition, use, and want had stereotyped the ship's 
officers' views that another point of view than the traditional one was 
barely known. 

In the year of grace 1909, forecastle life is far from ideal. 

"Single men in forecastles 
Ain't no plaster saints." 

But in the days of Beginnings in 1829 sailors had neither tables, knives, 
forks, nor plates in the forecastle. The "kid," a wooden tub, was centered 
in the floor and the "hands" gathered around and helped themselves out 
of the common pot, and the helping was done by the sheath knife. On 
the other hand, in the days we write of, owners often knew their crews, 
sometimes helped in their selection, went on .board to inspect the food, 
visited the forecastles to see if they had a lamp ! At least their presence 
at the beginning of the voyage and the end gave some sort of personal 
touch to the relation of owner and seamen. 

R. H. Dana, writing twelve years after the start of the American 
Seamen's Friend Society, said: 

"I did not hear a prayer made, a chapter read in public, nor 
see anything approaching to a religious service for two years 
and a quarter. There were, in the course of the voyage, many 
incidents which made, for the time, serious impression upon 
our minds, and which might have been turned to our good ; 
but there being no one to use the opportunity and no services, 
the regular return of which might have kept something of the 
feeling alive in us, the advantage of them was lost to some, 
perhaps forever." 

Yet the sailor's life was not a cheerless dirge in those days, romance 
is always on the ocean. Science and steam had not robbed it of its awful 
mystery and weird power. If the sailor had little religion, he held God 
and the unseen powers in wholesome awe. Superstitions were then rife 
on board of every ship. Few, if any, ships sailed on Friday. With a 
peculiar relish seamen decant on a certain ship begun on the 13th of the 
month, which happened to be a Friday. She was launched on a Friday, 
sailed on her maiden and last voyage on a Friday. No man ever saw 
or heard of her after the pilot went over the side. Told and retold were 
the old stories of the sea. "The Flying Dutchman" was no myth to the 
seamen of eighty years ago. And the buried city off Ushant was told 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 5 

about in the uncanny dog watches of the tropics, or whisperingly alluded 
to under the mystic spell of the weird, pale splendor of a full moon in the 
southern seas. There were dog watches in the days of the sailor before 
the engineer came aboard and the fireman's shovel had driven the "Chanty- 
man" over the side. The bards of the forecastle have gone ' with the 
square-rigger and the white-winged clippers of the sea. The sea ships and 
sea life have changed, but the men remain the same and will remain 
until seas shall be no more. 

Except in few rare cases the sailor's world was a world without God, 
and to be without God is to be without hope in the world. Just imagine 
sea life without chaplains, Bethels, or "Sea Missionaries," a world into 
which no books, tracts, or loan libraries were launched, where few of the 
men could read or write. The reading room for sailors was not yet born. 
The voice of the Sky Pilot had not yet gone forth nor the touch of that 
ministering angel now found in nearly every well-conducted Seamen's 
Institute in the world, the woman who purely, unostentatiously, in the 
spirit of Christ, ministers to the men of the sea. Conceive, if possible, 
sea life without the Gospel meetings, prayer, testimony meetings, into 
which the sound of the Gospel hymn had never been wafted. No agency 
to fight crimps or provide decent boarding houses had been started. Jack 
could stand on the waterfront of every seaport in the world, look out on 
the sea and up to the sky and say, "No man cared for my soul." A man 
without country, God, Saviour, or friend in the world ! It was into such 
a world and to help such men that the American Seamen's Friend So- 
ciety was born eighty years ago. 




6 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

THE BIRTH OF THE AMERICAN SEAMEN'S 
FRIEND SOCIETY 

"A few can begin something that in the end may be great." 

In the summer of 1816 some members of the Brick Presbyterian 
Church started prayer meetings in the lower part of the city. Some of 
those meetings were held in Water Street, at that time the principal resort 
for sailors. The attendance of sailors was so large that it suggested the 
idea of special services for sailors. Specific services for sailors were then 
started. The success attending these meetings awakened considerable 
interest, and in December of the same year the idea was conceived of erect- 
ing a Mariners' Church. A committee was appointed, but the project did 
not come to fruition until the New York Port Society was formed in 1818. 

In an upper room in "Mr. Linden's Academy, in Cherry Street," the 
first regular preacher to seamen began the first regular services for sea- 
men in the port of New York. Encouraged by the success of the services, 
efforts were made to build a church for seafaring men, culminating in the 
erection of the first Mariners' Church in Roosevelt Street, near the East 
River. The pastor of the Mariners' Church, Rev. John Truair, felt keenly 
the need of caring for the sailors abroad. His vision saw in the seamen 
and the organization of an American Seamen's Friend Society "a splendid 
machinery for extending the means of salvation to heathen tribes." He 
formulated his views in a stirring appeal which appeared in the Mariners' 
Magazine. In the same publication a petition appeared, signed by one 
hundred and fourteen masters and mates, expressing desire to promote 
religion and morality among sailors. 

"At a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of 
New York City, held at the City Hotel, October 25, 1825, for 
the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of 
adopting measures preparatory to the formation of an Ameri- 
can Seamen's Friend Society, pursuant to public notice, the 
Hon. Smith Thompson was called to the chair and John R. 
Hurd appointed secretary. The object of the meeting having 
been stated, and several letters from different persons in some 
of the seaports cordially approbating the design being read, the 
following resolutions were unanimously adopted : 

"On motion of Rev. Dr. Macauley of the Presbyterian 
Church, seconded by the Rev. C. G. Sommers of the Baptist 
Church, 

"Resolved, That this meeting would regard with peculiar 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 7 

interest the formation of a National Seamen's Friend Society, 
to have the seat of its operations in the city of New York ; 
and that we pledge ourselves to do all in our power to promote 
the highest prosperity, and the most extensive usefulness of 
such an institution." 

The meeting adjourned until January 11, 1826. The day of the 
meeting was wet and stormy, the attendants lukewarm, and from the 
accounts the outlook was aught but encouraging. The Rev. Mr. Frost, 
of Whitesborough, New York, said in his speech : 

"The smallness of the number present is of no conse- 
quence. All other good enterprises have begun with a few. 
Christianity itself began to be established by a meeting of a 
few individuals. So did the American Board. I was present 
when the first missionaries offered themselves. The association 
of ministers before whom they presented themselves were 
wise and good men, but they were not awake to the missionary 
cause, and they almost thought these boys were enthusiasts 
for setting such a project on foot. They committed the matter 
to the Board as an experiment. If they could have foreseen 
the issue, instead of the apathy which they manifested, they 
would have been praying with tears in their eyes for the 
glorious cause." 

A constitution was adopted and officers chosen, and an agent appointed. 
No one was enthusiastic but the agent, who published an animated "call 
from the ocean" and kept the fire burning until May 5, 1828, when a re- 
organization was made and, what was better — a determination reached 
to begin the work of the national society for seamen. Thus, through 
great exertions, much discouragement, many failures and a few false 
starts, was launched on its career the American Seamen's Friend 
Society. 




An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



THE FIRST CHAPLAIN 

The missionaries are the best friends of the sailor. As a class, their 
work is the salvation of men. Men cannot be men without God in 
civilized countries, and they often sink to the level of the heathen in 
heathen countries. 

Morrison, of China, whose centenary was celebrated in 1907, was 
really the pioneer of work for seamen in the Far East. He might be 
called the first seamen's chaplain in China. Uncommissioned, it is true, 
but no man need wait for a commission to preach Jesus Christ. He can 
begin where he is, as Morrison did, as shown by the following letter, which 
was published in the first volume of the Sailors' Magazine, issued in the 
year 1829: 

Canton, China, November 10, 1827. 

To the Committee of the Bethel Union. 

Gentlemen: When I left England in May, 1825, you had 
the kindness to commit to my care a Bethel flag, to hoist on 
board ship for public worship in the river of Canton. 

This season, I have the pleasure of informing you, that 
the Bethel flag has been hoisted at Wampoa several Sundays, 
on board the American ship Liverpool Packet, and a congrega- 
tion of forty persons and upward collected from the United 
States' vessels in China. The captain of the ship, a fervent 
disciple of our Lord Jesus, was himself the chaplain. 

Say not the beginning is small. "Who hath despised the 
day of small things?" Not the Master. His kingdom here, 
where, in the worship of demons, among hundreds of millions 
satan is enthroned, may now be small as a mustard seed — but 
eventually we are sure it shall resemble a wide-spreading 
tree, affording home and shelter to myriads. 

A preacher is wanted at Wampoa. Some of the company's 
captain's read prayers on board their own ships on Sunday, 
and Captain Crocker has read a sermon from Doddridge under 
the Bethel flag — all of which cheers our hearts in these regions 
of idolatry and superstition. Still, a faithful and devoted 
minister for the fleet is greatly to be desired. The churches 
of the United States enjoy facilities for supplying one; and I 
have, through a devoted Christian here, written to America, to 
induce some man mighty in the Scriptures, full of faith and of 
the Holy Ghost, to come among us for a season. Such at 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 9 

present is the condition of things in reference to sailors in 
China. 
I remain, very sincerely, A Seamen's Friend, 

Robert Morrison. 

The message came at an opportune time. It was the right' word fitly 
spoken, for the chief desire of the newly formed society for seamen was 
to send "Sea Missionaries," as they were then termed. Events providen- 
tially opened the way. A New York merchant engaged in trade with 
China offered to send the proper "Sea Missionary." The Rev. David 
Abeel, a promising young minister of the Reformed Church (Dutch), was 
recommended for the new and somewhat venturesome task of preaching 
to the sailors and whalemen and ultimately to the heathen. He was ap- 
pointed and sailed in the good American ship Roman. His efforts were 
blessed of God. As soon as he was proficient in Chinese his services were 
transferred to the American Board of Foreign Missions. 




10 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Worf 



DAVID ABEEL 

David Abeel was born June 12th, 1804, at New Brunswick, 
N. J. His father was an officer in the United States Navy 




REV. DAVID ABEEL, CHINA 
First Chaplain to Seamen, 1829 



during the Revolution, and was honored by Congress for his 
valor in several hotly contested sea battles. 

The son inherited his father's military instinct, and when a 
youth of fifteen applied for admission to West Point. The ap- 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 11 

plications that year were so numerous that he saw no likeli- 
hood of his acceptance, and so withdrew his application. He 
gave himself to the study of medicine for a year. Meantime 
he had come to the great turning point of his life. He had 
become a Christian. 

His heart turned naturally to the Christian ministry. At 
the age of nineteen he entered New Brunswick Theological 
Seminary. There he heard the voice of God calling him to 
the regions beyond. He was at that time the only surviving 
son of his parents. They were advanced in years. He ac- 
cepted a call to Athens, N. Y. He stayed for two years and 
six months, when ill health compelled him to resign. His 
brief ministry was one of marked spirituality. The people 
never forgot it. When after twenty years of hard and mul- 
tiplied labors in eastern lands he came back to visit his first 
flock the people wept for joy to see his face once more. 

In September, 1829, he received a call from the American 
Seamen's Friend Society to undertake work on behalf of 
American seamen at Canton, China. The ship was to sail in 
a month. He had four weeks in which to decide and prepare. 
He accepted the call and was ready on the day of sailing. The 
ship Roman, in which Abeel sailed, 'was owned by D. W. C. 
Olyphant, of 'New York, a distinguished Christian merchant 
and friend of missions. He gave David Abeel free passage, 
and promised to provide him a home free from cost for a 
year after his arrival. After a year of service under the 
Seamen's Friend Society, Abeel joined the American Board. 
He was sent on an exploring tour to Malacca, Siam, Java and 
the larger islands of the East Indies. 

He visited Singapore, Bangkok and Batavia. He spent a 
year in Siam. For a short time he was chaplain to the for- 
eign residents at Singapore. On account of failing health he 
was compelled in May, 1833, to take ship for England. From 
London he went to Holland with a view to forming some 
connection between the churches of Holland and the United 
States as a basis for co-operation in foreign missions, but his 
hopes were not realized. 

While in London in 1834. David Abeel was instrumental in 
organizing the first Woman's Missionary Society, called "So- 
ciety for Female Education in China and the East." His ex- 
traordinary piety impressed people wherever he went. A 
lady in London said : ''There was nothing austere narrow- 
minded or extravagant in his religion. There was beau- 
tiful symmetry, a holiness, refinement and tenderness about 
it which struck the most ungodly." 

In January, 1845. he sailed for New York, "doubtful." as 
he says, "which home I should reach first." The ship made 



u 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



one of the quickest passages on record. But Abeel was so 
enfeebled on his arrival that he spoke with the greatest dif- 
ficulty, and only once after his return was his voiqe heard at 
family prayers. He survived a little over a year, dying at 
Albany, September 4, 1846. His remains were interred in 
Greenwood Cemetery. 




of the American Seamen's Friend Society 13 



THE PACIFIC ISLANDS 



THE FIRST SEAMEN'S CHURCH 

To Captain James Cook, the intrepid English navigator, belongs the 
honor of first visiting the Sandwich Islands in the year 1779. And the first 
Christian service of any kind was the one held at the funeral of Captain 
Cook, on February 21, 1779. Captain King, his successor, records: 

"In the afternoon the bones (of Captain Cook) having 
been put into a coffin and the service read over them, they 
were committed to the deep with the usual military honors. 
What our feelings were on this occasion I leave the world to 
conceive ; those present know that it is not in my power to 
express them." 

In the year 1790 an American ship called the Fair American was 
wrecked. All of the crew were killed or eaten, two only being spared, 
John Young and Isaac Davis. Evidently they had been men of character, 
some degree of piety, combined with a New England shrewdness in trad- 
ing. The Journal of John Young still exists, showing a combination of 
trade accounts, prayers, and a religious poem beginning : 

"Life is the time to serve the Lord, 
Then I insure the great reward ; 
And (while) the lamp holds out to burn, 
The vilest sinner may return." 

John Young induced his heathen king to moderate his drinking habits, 
became the grandfather of Queen Emma, and the missionaries assert was 
a potent influence for good. Isaac Davis equally so, for his prayer book 
still exists in the hands of his descendants. 

Captain Vancouver, an English navigator — Vancouver Island is named 
after him — visited the Hawaiian Islands, and like nearly all the great 
navigators, his influence was for good- He spoke to King Kamekameba 
about the one true God, the ruler of all, and promised that he would 
ask the King of England to send teachers. Vancouver tried to impress 
the Chiefs of the Islands with the ideas of justice and humanity, and 
urged the folly of idolatry. Captain Vancouver's memory long remained 
a powerful influence for good." 

The whaling and trading to the Islands increased rapidly while traders 
multiplied in numbers. Same undoubtedly were good men, but the 
majority were conventional, easy-going men who "did as the Romans did" 



14 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



and dropped into the heathen vices of the "poor heathen," while the "poor 
heathen" lost respect for their clay gods as they acquired the white man's 
vices. Captain Wilkes, U. S. N., commanding the United 'States Exploring 
Expedition, had visited the Islands in 1840; and Richard Henry Dana, who 
wrote the immortal "Two Years Before the Mast," did much to draw 
attention to the work of seamen chaplains. In the closing chapter of that 
book, one of the few sea books sailors care to read, he says : 

"The exertions of the general association, called the Ameri- 
can Seamen's Friend Society, and of the other smaller 
societies throughout the Union, have been a true blessing 
to the seaman ; and bid fair, in course of time, to change the 
whole nature of the circumstances in which he is placed, 
and give him a new name, as well as a new character." 

He was speaking as an eye-witness, for by the time he reached the 




FIRST SEAMEN'S BETHEL, ERECTED 1833, HONOLULU, HAWAII 



Pacific coast the American Seamen's Friend Society had its first chaplain in 
the Hawaiian Islands. On the 16th of September, 1832, Rev. John Diell 
was ordained and commissioned to work at Oahu. A free passage was 
given him on the Mentor. On the same ship went the frames for the 
new chapel. The boards and the shingles were already on the way. In 
November Dr. Gardnier Spring of the Brick Presbyterian Church, in the 
Bleecker Street Church commended the Missionary and wife to God. 
A carpenter went with them as artisan missionary. Mr. Diell took out 
as part of his baggage a library of books valued at $500, given chiefly by 
Princeton students. 
The tale of the work for seamen by the Chaplains of the American 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 15 

Seamen's Friend Society in the South Sea Islands runs parallel with the 
glorious work of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions and the honorable names in its history. They were a noble band 
of men, these early missionaries, who loved the sailors as strongly as they 
loved the heathen around them. With the evangelization of the heathen 
should and does go the evangelization of the seamen in the ports. Such 
men as the Rev. Titus Coan, whose pentecostal work in the great revival 
of 1837-38 was the spiritual birth of the Hawaiian people. Dr. Damon, 
or by his better known title, Father Damon, was pre-eminently a friend 
to the seamen. For some reason the American Seamen's Friend Society's 
publications do not give an adequate account of the life and labors of 
Dr. Damon. He is known by the friends of the work for seamen simply 
as a friend of the seamen. By the kindness of his son we give the first 
account of his career ever published in America. It is taken from the 
Friend, the paper he edited. Some fresh information has been supplied 
by his son. 

FATHER DAMON, OF HONOLULU 

"Samuel Chenry Damon was born in Holden, Mass., 
February 15, 1815. He graduated at Amherst College, 
Massachusetts, 1836, at the age of twenty-one years, and after 
a year spent in teaching, entered upon his theological course 
at Princeton Seminary, New Jersey, in 1838, and finished the 
course at Andover Seminary, Massachusetts, in 1841. He was 
married to Julia Sherman Mills, a niece of Samuel J. Mills, 
one of the founders of the American Board of Foreign Mis- 
sions, on October 6, 1841. He was ordained to the Gospel 
ministry and with his youthful companion sailed for Hono- 
lulu, March 10, 1842, arriving October 19th of the same year. 
He came out under appointment of the American Seamen's 
Friend Society as Seamen's Chaplain for Honolulu ; the Rev. 
John Diell, his predecessor, having been obliged to leave 
from failure of health. 

"Arriving in the prime and vigor of his young manhood, 
he found society in a very primitive state. The foreign resi- 
dents were few in number, and his principal labor was among 
the seamen of the numerous ships which at that time and for 
many years after visited this port in their annual quest for 
whales in the North Pacific. 

"At that time the Bethel Chapel was the only edifice in the 
place for the public worship of English-speaking people, so 
that the Chaplain of the Bethel naturally became the preacher 
and acting pastor for the foreign community on shore as well 



16" An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

as for the seamen. The chapel had been erected in 1833, and 
there Father Damon began his early ministry in 1842, and has 
continued it in the same place for forty-two years. In 1837 
the church had been organized under Rev. Mr. Diell as 
the "Bethel Church," and in 1850 it was reorganized under 
fylr. Damon as the Bethel Union Church, under which or- 
ganization it continues at the present day. From under Father 
Damon's ministrations in this church, a colony went forth in 
1852, which formed the present Fort St. Church, and in 1862 
another portion, went forth at the establishment of the Ang- 
lican Church in this place. 

"In 1843, the year after his arrival upon these shores, 
Father Damon began the publication of a small newspaper, 
devoted to the welfare of seamen, which became widely 
known as The Friend. During these many years, Dr. Damon 
has been a voluminous writer, a progressive and earnest 
worker, and a prominent figure in all that pertains to the so- 
cial and moral history of Honolulu, and indeed of these 
islands. To speak of Honolulu abroad was to call up Father 
Damon's name : and the successive volumes of The Friend 
contain a succinct history of the Hawaiian nation from 1843 
to the present time. In 1867 Father Damon was honored by 
his Amherst College Alma Mater with the degree of D.D., 
a title well earned and worthily bestowed. 

"It was the privilege of Dr. Damon to travel much abroad 
during his long period of service. In 1849 he visited Oregon 
and California, just at the outbreak of the gold fever in the 
latter State. In 1861 he visited the missions in the groups 
of Micronesia, in the Morning Star, and that visit resulted 
in the publication, first in the Friend, and .afterward in pam- 
phlet form, of the Morning Star Papers. In 1869-70, his 
health having become impaired, he made an extended visit 
to the United States, Europe, Palestine,, and Egypt, returning 
with fresh vigor and enthusiasm to his labor of love in 
Honolulu. In 1876 he visited the United States again and 
was present at the grand centennial exhibition in Philadelphia. 
In 1880 he revisited England and the Continent, and early 
in 1884 he visited China, returning by way of Japan and San 
Francisco. In all these tours his powers of observation were 
on the alert to trace the progress of Gospel light and civili- 
zation among the nations, and his interest in the missionary 
work and its results was deepened and strengthened. 

"Besides the many volumes of the Friend, his printed dis- 
courses on various occasions of public interest, number forty- 
six. He always took a lively interest in educational matters, 
and from the period of his arrival here took a special in- 
terest in Oahu College, which owes much to his public-spirited 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 17 

efforts and to his own gifts and labors for its advance- 
ment. 

"During the latter years of his life he took a special interest 
in work for the benefit of the Chinese and Japanese. He had 
made arrangements by which his work as pastor of the Bethel 
Church and editor of the Friend was passed over to other 
and younger hands, and was anticipating with enthusiasm the 
devoting of his remaining years to work among the Chinese 
on these islands, and to the cause of education in connection 
with Oahu College. But it was not so to be. His life-work was 
finished — complete and well rounded, and he was called away. 
His genial smile and noble presence will be missed from the 
streets and homes of Honolulu, but the seed sown by him in 
his many labors in this community will continue to bear 
fruit for many years to come. 

VALPARAISO, CHILE 

The Valparaiso Seamen's Mission was founded January 4, 1846, by the 
late Rev. David Trumbull, D.D., hoisting for the first time in these waters 
the Bethel Flag on Board the American ship Mississippi, on which he had 
come as a passenger from the United States. Dr. Trumbull had been 
commissioned by the American Christian and Foreign Union to labor 
as an Evangelist in Chile. 

He came to the Chilians, but the Chilians received him not. but the 
foreign sailor did receive him, gave him a warm welcome, a parish to 
labor in, a Bethel to preach from, and a flag to protect him. Here, whom- 
soever would, might come, from ship or shore, and enjoy the privileges 
so long denied them. Here his newly made friends and his fellow- 
countrymen gathered around him for many months, Sabbath after Sab- 
bath, until a private room could be occupied with safety on shore. Nor 
was it long they waited. Not many years passed before Dr. Trumbull 
could return the compliment and invite the sailor to 'sit in peace with 
him in a well-constructed church edifice on shore. The mission to seamen 
was an important factor in solving the question, How was the Gospel 
Messenger to win his first foothold in Chile. 

For a long series of years Dr. Trumbull was enabled, with the occasional 
assistance of private friends, to carry on the work in the Bay of Val- 
paraiso, and at the same time to keep abreast of the rapidly increasing 
demands of his work on shore. After much efforts and expense an old 
hulk, Egeria, was obtained and services held one Sabbath only, when a gale 
of wind wrecked her, the shipkeeper and his family going down with 
the ship. 



18 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

Meanwhile the Chaplain had been trying to devote all his time to the _ 
Union Church work, and the loss of the Egeria was a serious blow to 
him. Dr. Trumbull again resumed responsibility, which had scarcely been 
interrupted, and with the assistance of his former co-laborers continued 
to maintain the work. 

In 1882. Rev. O. B. Krauser was engaged to carry on the work, under 
the supervision of Dr. Trumbull, supported by the American Seamen's 
Friend Society of New York, and some individual members of Union 
Church. Mr. Krauser's work, which lasted for about a year, was ap- 
preciated by the friends of the mission, but on account of illness in his 
family he was obliged to retire from the field. It was now fully recog- 
nized by the friends of the mission that a complete reorganization of the 
work was imperative and necessary for its future welfare and usefulness. 
During the recurrent changes of the preceding thirty-seven years Dr. Trum- 
bull was the constant and consistent friend of the Seamen's Mission, taking 
the work up when others laid it down, coming to the front when others 
retired. In these labors he was nobly assisted by a small band of faithful 
co-workers, conspicuous amongst whom for his untiring zeal, unflagging 
devotion and warm-hearted hospitality was the late James Blake. 

The friends of the Mission, and especially the Board of Directors of the 
newly formed Union Church Missionary Society, were now convinced that 
the presence of a thoroughly qualified man was necessary, who would 
devote his entire time and labor to its service as chaplain. 

Dr. Trumbull as President of the Board of Directors, and chairman of 
the executive committee of the Union Church Missionary Society, now 
made an urgent appeal to the American Seamen's Friend Society of New 
York to make this field a permanent branch of their work, procure a 
suitable clergyman as chaplain for the post, and also to make an annual 
appropriation of funds toward his support. 

The American Seamen's Friend Society had already been in the closest 
sympathy with Dr. Trumbull, and his work for seamen in Valparaiso, and 
had watched over it with the keenest interest, giving of its funds towards 
its support from time to time as its necessities required. 

The appeal found a most attentive and cordial reception from the late 
Rev. S. H. Hall, then Secretary of the Society, who immediately brought 
the subject to their special attention. 

Providentially, at this precise time, there came to New York on a busi- 
ness visit the late Alexander Balfour, of the house of Balfour, 
Williamson & Co. of Liverpool and Valparaiso. Mr. Balfour had been 
a resident of Valparaiso for a number of years, and one of Dr. Trumbull's 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



19 



most valued helpers. He was deeply interested in the welfare work for 
seamen, and had been a supporter of the mission in the Bay of Val- 
paraiso, and, therefore, well qualified to speak of its present wants and 
future prospects. He sought an interview with Secretary Hall and the 
Directors of the American Seamen's Friend Society and pleaded the needs 
so effectively that the Board decided to make the Valparaiso Seamen's 
Mission a branch of their work. The Union Church Missionary Society 




HOPEFUL 

BETHEL SHIP HOPEFUL (VALPARAISO) 

was thus brought into official connection with the American Seamen's 
Friend Society in 1883. 

Secretary Hall, with the full consent of his Board of Directors, at once 
began inquiries for a clergyman. After five months' deliberation, Rev. 
Frank Thompson accepted the post, was commissioned as chaplain on 
December 8, 1883, and sailed for his new field two days later, and arrived 
in Valparaiso January 8, 1884, where he has continued to labor up to the 
present day. 

In 1887 the British iron bark Hopeful came into port in a dismasted 
condition, and was offered for sale. The directors of the Union Church 
Missionary Society, encouraged by promised assistance from the American 
Seamen's Friend Society, felt themselves warranted to go forward and 
purchase her. The vessel came into their possession September 26, 1887, 
and was altered and fitted up as a church, with a fine reading room 



20 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



attached, and was dedicated to her present uses by a Public Service on 
June 10, 1888. 

On the 10th of July following the Hopeful was badly damaged in a 
northerly gale by another vessel driving down upon her and crushing in 
her bows. The British merchant houses and other friends who had for- 
merly contributed toward the purchase and equipment fund, again came 
forward and generously donated the means necessary to complete the 
repairs, since which time the Hopeful, true to her name, has met with no 
further damage, and has never been weighed with a debt. 

It is now sixty-three years since this mission was founded, and twenty- 
seven since the present chaplain entered upon his work. During all these 
years seafaring men have had the Gospel preached unto them, the sick 
in prisons and hospitals have been visited, the destitute and disabled have 
been assisted, and in some cases sent home to friends. 

In February, 1889, Dr. Trumbull died and was rewarded by a State 
funeral, the first ever given to a foreigner. By his labors he established a 
church and a school, founded the Valparaiso Bible Society, edited and 
published The Record, a periodical giving, the results of his evangelical 
efforts in Chile. In character he was benevolent, warm, deeply pious, 
gifted, and a student of the Word of God. These qualities gave him 
immense influence with the Chilians and English-speaking residents in 
Valparaiso. 




of the American Seamen's Friend Society 21 



"SAVING THE NORSEMEN" 

The Scandinavians are seamen by heritage,, instinct and compulsion. 
From the days of the Vikings they have sailed the seven seas- and have 
played a gallant part in every great event in modern history. Under every 
flag, in every port, in every sort of ship of every country, Scandinavian 




CAPT. FREDERICK O. NTELSON (SWEDEN) 

seamen are to be found. So it was quite natural in a society recognizing 
the stragetic missionary value of seamen to spend some effort on the 
salvation of the descendants of the Vikings. 

When the history of the religious life of Sweden is written the 
American Seamen's Friend Society will be given its rightful place as 
a pioneer in the Swedish evangelical revival. Before the full measure of 
Christian liberty could be meted out to Sweden, of necessity there must 
come, as has been the order in the advances in Christian history, first, 
the presence and demonstration of God's power, followed by persecution, 
trials, and testing of the faith and character of those God intends to use, 
followed by the full freedom to live, preach and teach the Gospel of 
Christ without hindrance- 

In the later thirties and early forties, between Boston and Russia a 
considerable shipping trade flourished, sufficient to justify Cronstadt being 
opened as a chaplaincy in 1839. What was a hard, unripe field led to a 
fairer field ready for harvesting. 

Two Swedish sailors, Frederick O. Nielson and Olof Petersen, with 
piety, gifts, fervent faith and zeal were commissioned and dispatched to 



22 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



Sweden. From the first they were honored in seeing openly profane and 
irreligious men converted to God. 

Whole districts were moved by the simple power' of the Gospel in the 
hands of these simple men. Drunkenness and licentiousness went out as 
the grace of the crucified Saviour was preached. The islands of the 
Baltic were isles of Patmos to hundreds of unlettered fishermen who saw 
the first and the last and the living One in His saving power. The record 
of the missionary journeys of these valiant pioneers remind one of the 
early missionary labors of the frontier preachers on American prairies 
and Mountains. Nielson was pre-eminently an evangelist and an itinerant. 
He visited the fishing stations, islands, traveled over mountains, through 




HARBOR OF GOTTENBURG 



snow drifts. In one trip he covered 533 English miles and left behind 
him whole families in union with Christ and in four places about two 
hundred converts. 

The exact dates of the outbreak and the manner of the persecution we 
are uncertain about. But the causes were a dead state church entrenched 
in privileges, the Gospel coming to hungry men through other than the 
"appointed channels." The fiercer the persecution, the more zealous be- 
came the missionaries, and six years after the work was started opposi- 
tion and persecution had evidently been accepted as the normal thing and 
the report of 1847 says with quaint, impressive brevity: "Stockholm, 
Gottenburg, Szveden, the missions to these ports were persecuted as here- 
tofore." But what is more important, the persecution of Nielson and 
Petersen was the beginning of religious liberty in Sweden. 

In the year 1850 the Government of Sweden had him arrested and 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



23 



imprisoned for preaching and distributing religious books. He was tried, 
condemned and banished from Sweden. On the eve of his departure he 
wrote, ''I am happy that I have been allowed to labor in my humble way 
in Sweden for more than eleven years. Glory be to God! Souls have 
been converted through such an unpolished shaft, and not a few of those 




REV. ANDREW WOLLESEN 
Chaplain at Copenhagen, Denmark 



are already in heaven. I shall commence at Copenhagen as soon as I am 
driven from Sweden. And it shall be my greatest joy to serve a society 
so eminently Christian and above party feeling as is the American Sea- 
men's Friend Society. I will, with the help of God, endeavor to give 
myself more fully to the work of Christ among seamen wherever I go." 

Banished from Sweden he went to Copenhagen and began with zeal and 
devotion to preach- Christ until the year 1853, when he led a party of 



24 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

permuted fellow-exiles — mostly his own converts — in a new exodus to 
the land of religious freedom, America. 

Nielson took his party to the Western States, where the small Swedish 
stream went to swell and enrich the great current of American western 
life. After seven years' labor as a Baptist missionary, he returned to 
Sweden under the patronage of some New York Baptist Churches. The 
Board of the American Seamen's Friend Society reappointed him to 
Gottenburg, and on petition the King revoked the edict against Nielson 
and gave him a privilege enjoyed by no other dissenting minister — in 
1863 — of preaching Christ as he pleased outside of Lutheran Church 
buildings. In revisiting Gottenburg he wrote Dr. Hall : 

"It was with peculiar feelings that I looked at that old 
prison-house and that iron-grated window, through which I 
used to preach the Gospel to the people outside. Times and 
laws have altered since. Thank God, we can now preach 
wherever the people will listen to us, without fear of police 
or prison." 

Yes, times and laws have changed since then, for in the year of this 
writing, the chaplain of the station where Nielson labored was received 
by the King of Sweden, who sent his greetings to the Society and his 
portrait to adorn its new Institute's walls. 



NORWAY AND DENMARK 

The Saviour's injunction to those unduly persecuted was to flee into 
another city. The flight into another city has been a prolific means of 
spreading the Gospel of Grace. Persecution in Jerusalem saved the 
Gospel and sent the apostolic messengers into Africa, Italy, and wherever 
the Roman eagles flew. Persecution and exile drove Captain Nielson from 
Sweden into Denmark and Norway and opened the way for a blessed and 
fruitful ministry to these important maritime nations. From the frag- 
mentary reports and articles published in the Sailors' Magazine since 
1852 it has been difficult to get a full, connected history of the work. In 
lieu of which we print the appended chronology : 

1851-2. 

Rev. Mr. Nielson retired to Copenhagen and commenced his work 
there with his usual zeal and devotion. 
1853-4. 

Mr. Ryding appointed to Ronne, Bornholm (an island in the Baltic). 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 25 

1857-8. 

Norway. Rev. F. L. Rymker was appointed in connection with his 
duties as an agent of the Baptist Publication Society, to labor for sea- 
men in Norway, and began his work at Toldner and Skien, with Brevig 
and Langerund, these places having shipping equal to the largest places 
in the kingdom, and numbers of seamen more than corresponding. His 
efforts were much blessed in the salvation of souls. 
1858-9. 

In Norway, with Porsgrund as the center of his operations, the Rev. 
F. L. Rymker was greatly blessed in seeing the conversion of seamen. 
1860-1. 

Rev. F. L. Rymker removed his residence from Porsgrund to Laurvig, 
Norway, and during the year made a first visit to Gottenburg, then a 
Swedish city of 30,000 inhabitants, with about 250 ships in the harbor. 
1861-2. 

Laurvig, Porsgrund, Fredericksvorn, Langernuth and other ports were 
occupied by Mr. Rymker in Norway. 
1862-3. 

Rev. Mr. Rymker moved his residence from Laurvig, in Norway, to 
Nyborg, in Denmark, but continued his labors in Norway, visiting many 
places upon the coast. Rev. Mr. Ryding was now. the pastor of a Baptist 
Church on the island of Bornholm, in the Baltic Sea, belonging to Den- 
mark, and discharged some pastoral duties in connection with two Baptist 
Churches in Copenhagen, Denmark. These two churches had been 
gathered from and were largely made up of seafaring people. Sabbath 
Schools were also established this year by him at Ronne and at Ankers, 
in Denmark. 
1863-4. 

Rev. F. L. Rymker wrought at Lansing, Skien. Porsgrund, Kragero, 
Christiania, Eichvald and Holmestrand, in Norway, while he fixed his 
residence at Odense, in Denmark. Great desire was manifested by the 
maritime people whom he visited to hear the Gospel. 
1865-6. 

A sailor missionary was appointed to labor at Skien, Norway, and in 
that vicinity. 
1866-7. 

Rev. F. L. Rymker was now centered at Odense, in Denmark, and 
thence, commencing with this year, labored among sailors in the Danish 
ports of Nyborg, Tommerup, Lundeborg, Swendborg and Budbjking. 



26 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

1868. 

The Scandinavian missionary force was as follows : 
Norway : 

At Christiansand, Rev. J. H. Hansen, Sailor Missionary. 

At Kragero, Mr. M. Steinsen, Sailor Missionary. 

At Porsgrund, Mr. H. L. Schultz, Sailor Missionary. 
Denmark : 

At Odense, Rev. F. L. Rymker, Sailor Missionary. 

At Copenhagen, Rev. P. E. Ryding, Sailor Missionary. 
Sweden : 

At Gottenburg, Rev. F. O. Nielson and Mr. Lars Carlsson, Sailor 
Missionaries. 

At Warberg and Wedige, Mr. Christian Carlsson, Sailor Missionary. 

At Wernersberg, Mr. Erik Eriksson, Sailor .Missionary. 

At Stockholm, Mr. A. M. Ljungberg and Mr. J. A. Anderson, Sailor 
Missionaries. 
1868-9. 

Rev. J- H. Hansen occupied Fredricksband, in Norway, in place of 
Christiansand. 
1869-70. 

Rev. J. Hansen wrought at Sarpsberg, in Norway, with such success 
that he wrote February 22, 1870: "A great number have been awakened 
and many have come to a living faith in Him who justifies and saves the 
lost." Other towns were in his field of labor. • 
1870-1. 

Rev. J. H. Hansen reported labor this year at Walloe and Tonsberg, 
in Norway. 
1871-2. 

Mr. H. Hansen was appointed as a sailor missionary at Copenhagen, 
in Denmark Mr. F. L. Rymker, missionary, occupied Odense, in the same 
country, and the labors of Rev. P. E. Ryding were now limited to the 
island of Bornholm, Denmark. At Ronne, on that island, a deep religious 
movement signalized the year. 

Rev. H. P. Bergh, a young Methodist preacher, began very spirited and 
successful labor for seamen at Christiania, in Norway, and its vicinity. 
1874-5. 

Rev. H. P. Bergh, with his headquarters at Christiania, in Norway, 
reported that he held the first seamen's service ever known in Fredericks- 
hold, in Norway. In Drammen, Norway, the beginnings of labor for 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 27 

seamen also took place. Rev. Mr. Bergh was succeeded at Christiania by 

Mr. H. J. Wahlstrom. 

1875-6. 

Rev. H. P. Bergh was transferred by his church authorities from 
Christiansand, Norway, to an inland station and so passed from our 
service. 
1876-7. 

In Denmark, at Copenhagen, Mr. Andrew Wollesen entered upon our 
service within the calendar year just closed, with Rev. P. E. Ryding, one 
of our oldest missionaries (he having begun his labors in 1855). At 
Odense, in the same kingdom, is Rev. F. L. Rymker, commissioned by our 
Society in 1857, whose work has often had the signal seal of God's favor. 
In Norway, at Christiansand, a missionary, Rev. S. Swenson, has been ap- 
pointed who will soon take the place vacated by Rev. H. P. Bergh, trans- 
ferred to an interior field. 
1877-8. 

Rev. S. Swenson began labor at Christiania, in Norway, July 1st. 
1879-82. 

Between the years 1879 and 1882 Chaplain Ljungberg had a great 
religious awakening on the island of Aland, between the Baltic Sea and 
the Gulf of Bothnia. Very many of the young men were converted. 
From this population a number of the great Scandinavian seamen are to 
be found. Captain Frederick Nielson, the pioneer missionary, died in the 
United States in 1881. 
1884. 

The Copenhagen Sailors' Home started. 

1896. 

Property bought for a new Home and Mission. 
1906. 

A new Sailors' Home and Institute opened. 

At the time of this writing, July. 1909. Chaplain Nielson labors at 
Gottenburg, Chaplain Hedstrom at Stockholm, and Chaplain Wollesen 
at Copenhagen. All of the Norwegian work is cared for by the Nor- 
wegians themselves and Inland Seamen's Mission of Denmark, the result 
of the American Seamen's Friend Society's labors in Denmark, and 
has Sailors' Homes and Institutes in the following places: Copenhagen. 
Nordorfoshavnsvy, Elsingore, Korsor, Nakskow, Svendborg. Esbjerg, 
Kolding. Veile, Horsens, Aathus, Marstal, Aalborg, Frederickshaven, 
Skagen, Koge. 



28 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

LIST OF FOREIGN STATIONS 

1828-1908 

The following complete list of foreign stations represent the wide area 
covered by the Society since its foundation. Naturally, there have been 
many changes in seaports during a period of time covering nearly a 
century and comprehending within that century the rise, growth, and de- 
velopment of iron and steam vessels and the passing of the sailing ship. 
Numbers of these stations ceased to be important and the work was 
abandoned. A policy of withdrawal from British possessions was com- 
menced in the late seventies. Norway prides herself in being able to 
care for her own seamen at home and feels grateful for the initial efforts 
of the American Seamen's Friend Society. 

North America. 

Canada — Labrador — Caribou Islands, Salmon Bay, Bonne Esperance 
Harbor, Esquimaux Bay. 
New Brunswick — St. John. 

West Indies. 

Cuba — Havana, St. Thomas, Antigue. 

South America. 
Panama — Colon (Aspinwall). 
Brazil — Rio de Janeiro. 
Chile — Valparaiso, Talcahuano. 
Peru — Callao, Chincha Islands. 
Argentine Republic — Buenos Aires, Rosario. 
Uruguay — Montevideo. 

Europe. 
Iceland — Iceford. 
Norway — Toldner, Skien, Brevig, Langerund, Porsgrund, Laurvig, 

Fredericksvorn, Langernuth, Lansing, Kragero, Christiania, Eich- 

vald, Holmestrand, Christiansand, Fredericksband, Sarpsborg, 

Walloe, Tonsberg, Frederickshold, Drammen. 
Sweden— Gottenberg, Stockholm, Gothland, Warberg, Gefle, Tahlen, 

Christianstad, Falsterbo, Wernersberg, Wedige, Malmo, Helsing- 

borg, Sundsvall. 
Denmark — Copenhagen, Nyborg, Odense, Bornholm (in the Baltic), 

Tommerup, Lundeborg, Swendborg, Bubjking. 
Russia — Cronstadt. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society * 29 

France — Havre, Marseilles, Bordeaux. 

Belgium — Antwerp. 

Holland — Amsterdam, Rotterdam. 

Germany — Hamburg. 

Spain — Cadiz. 

Italy — Genoa, Spezzia, Naples. 

Turkey — Constantinople. 

Malta — Fiorina. 

Madeira — Funchal. • 

Asia. 

China — Canton, Hongkong, Shanghai. 
Japan — Yokohama, Yeddo, Kobe, Nagasaki. 
Anatolia — Smyrna- 
India — Calcutta, Bombay, Karachi. 

Africa. 
Cape Colony — Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town. 

Ascension Island — Ronkiti. 

Islands of Pacific and Indian Oceans. 
Sandwich Islands — Honolulu, Lahaina, Hilo. 
East Indies — Batavia, Singapore. 
Australia — Sydney. 
Philippine Islands — Manila. 




30 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



SAVING THE SAILOR AT HOME 

The aim of the founders of the American Seamen's Friend Society 
was to make a national society and seek to enlist the seamen of America 
and the world in the foreign mission enterprise. Naturally, its first "sea 
missionary" was sent to a foreign country — China. Immediately after 
the embarkation of David Abeel for China a domestic agent was appointed 
to investigate the ports of the United States, visit the Great Lakes, and 
the canal, interesting the friends of seamen in the new society. In other 
words, if the work of the American Seamen's Friend Society was to 
be a foreign missionary enterprise, of necessity it needed a domestic 
work. If the marine Judeas, Samarias, and the ends of the earth were 
to be reached, the marine Jerusalem had to be occupied. In this instance 
the marine Jerusalem was New York. 

New York. — The comparison between Jerusalem and New York is not 
inapt. For in 1828, as in 1908, to affect New York was to affect the world. 
In those days there were men who had never heard of America, but they 
saw and knew American ships arid seamen. From the East River, stand- 
ing on Brooklyn Heights, one could look along the sinuous windings of 
the river and see a forest of masts. Where the bridges of Brooklyn and 
Manhattan terminate was New York "sailor town," attractive and 
odorous by day, noisy and vicious by night. From the Bowery down to 
the ship-lined water front abounded the dives, dance-halls, saloons, and 
the sailors' boarding houses, kept by "Shanghai Bills" and "Glasgow 
Mikes" and other equally well-known characters whose cognomens have 
passed into other ports and become part of the speech of "sailor town." 
The crimps and the boarding-house runners were the bosses of "sailor 
town." 

Sailors' Exchange. — In this whirlpool of iniquity the American Sea- 
men's Friend Society began to plant lighthouses to give light and to 
save life. Already there was a church for the sailor where Christ was 
preached. But Christly ministrations in the form of a Sailor's Exchange, 
Labor Bureau, Library were badly needed. A site was bought and in 
a few years this sailors' "clearing house" was opened. It continued 
operations for a number of years, fulfilled its mission, and went out of 
existence. 

Erie Canal. — From New York up the Hudson River by the Canal to 
the Great Lakes was a natural avenue along which the Society's agent 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



31 



went. This ministry to the boatmen was greatly blessed and in the year 
1875, forty years after, Chaplain Dickey reported: "I know of a large 
number of boatmen who are not only reformed, but have become subjects 
of renewing grace. Some who were once working on the canal are now 
farmers, some are mechanics, some hold responsible positions in civil 
life, and some are office bearers in the churches. Others remain on the 
Canal, and help in our work. / know twelve, now preaching the Gospel, 
who were once behind the whiMe-tree on the Erie Canal." 




SOUTH STREET, NEW YORK, WHEN SAILING SHIPS WERE IN THEIR 

PRIME 

Sailors' Home. — The crying need of New York between 1834 and 1842 
was a Sailors' Home. It seemed a waste of energy and an unwise — shall 
we say unchristian? — thing to care for a man's soul and let the man go 
back into the unholy atmosphere of the ordinary sailors' boarding house. 

In 1842 the old Sailors' Home was erected and opened. Its usefulness 
was passed seven years before it was closed. The Sailors' Home is a 
dead institution. It had its day and ceased to be with the sailing vessel. 
Like other good institutions, it was maligned, for it had faults and great 
defects. But it provided decent accommodations, a safe shelter, the sug- 
gestion of the home atmosphere. A pleasant point of departure and a 



32 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

welcome devoid of ulterior motives for thousands of sailors for the long 
period of sixty-five years. So great was the need and excellent the pro- 
vision for that need, within ten years after the opening of the first 
Sailors' Home the Society had three Homes in operation in the city of 
New York, one of them for colored seamen. 

Seamen's Bank.— Before leaving the Social, the Gospel in Action, the 
Practically Christian, the Purely Philanthropic, whatever name you wish 
to designate this phase of the Society's labors by, the American Sea- 
men's Friend Society has founded a bank; agitated for and secured the 
creation in the State of New York of the State Board of Commissioners 
for Licensing of Sailors' Hotels and Boarding Houses. It was instru- 
mental in placing in the Statute Book "An Act for the better protection 
of seamen in the Port and Harbor of New York" and founded the New 
York Seamen's Exchange, embracing a Savings Bank, Reading Room, 
Museum, Hall for Lectures, etc. By actual computation, saved millions 
of dollars for seamen, their wives and families, and it has pioneered for 
eighty-two years in every advance movement looking to the social, mental, 
moral, and spiritual advancement of seamen in the Port of New York. 

Southern States. — Very early in the Society's life considerable prac- 
tical progress was made in the Southern States. A special Secretary was 
set apart to visit the seaports, organize Seamen's Societies, found Sailors' 
Homes. At Richmond, Va., where one thousand eight hundred vessels 
carried each year — according to the statistics of 1859 — a society was 
formed, a seamen's preacher appointed, who gave, in the language of an 
old report, one-half of his time to preaching and the other half to ship 
visiting. 

At Galveston, Tex., a Sailors' Home was started. At Mobile, Ala., 
A Ladies' Bethel Society was formed, and at Mobile Bay, thirty 
miles from the city of Mobile, a floating hospital and Seamen's Church 
was prepared. Rev. F. M. Law, M.D., began to act as chaplain and 
physician, ministering to the hundreds of seamen in the bay. At New 
Orleans lots were secured for the erection of a church. It is significant, 
showing the value and importance of New Orleans before the Civil War, 
that two chaplains and a missionary were constantly employed preaching 
and visiting the ships. (Is it not prophetic of the future when the West 
shall be better developed and the Panama Canal opened?) At Washington, 
D. C, Norfolk, Va., Houma, La., work for seamen was started, and at 
Wilmington, N. C, a Captain Potter built entirely at his own cost a 
church. Through the efforts of the Southern Secretary, funds were 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 33 

raised to build seamen's churches, amounting to: Richmond, Va., $4,000; 
Galveston, Tex., $6,000; New Orleans, La., $4,525.45. 

Pacific Coast. — The first record of anything of a Christian character 
being done for seamen on the coast of California is the simple an- 
nouncement in the records of the American Seamen's Friend Society 
that "Rev. Eli Corwin was sent to commence a station in this (San 
Francisco, Cal.) growing port of the Pacific." With the first rush to the 
gold fields, in the day of San Francisco's sudden rush into prominence and 
profligacy, went Chaplain Rowell. He organized the San Francisco Port 
Society, founded the old Mariners' Church, known to sailors the world 
over, for in the service of the Society we can point out and say this and 
that man was born there. 

As the North American Pacific Coast ports grew, chaplaincies were 
established in Portland, Ore., Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia River, 
Tacoma, Seattle, and Port Townsend in Washington State. With the 
exception of Port Townsend, all of these agencies are still existent. In 
its thirty years' history, the Pacific Coast work has had its vicissitudes. 
Many lessons have been learned, chief among them the necessity of closer 
relationship between the auxiliary and the parent Society. 

Between the Northern Pacific Coast and the Northern Atlantic Coast 
lies the breadth of a continent, but there is not a hair's breadth difference 
between the needs of the seamen on either of these coasts. 

Caribou Islands. — Up in cold, bleak Labrador, where nature always 
shows her teeth, the Society sent missionaries to the fishing villages, where 
several churches were founded. A chaplain was appointed to St. John's, 
New Brunswick, and $20,000 was raised for a Sailors' Home, to which 
$60,000 was added by the Provincial Parliament. Within the year of this 
writing the old Home has been torn down to make room for the handsome, 
modern Institute, a continuation and culmination of the labor of good men 
in the rears of 1857-8. 



LIST OF DOMESTIC STATIONS 

1828—1908 

This chapter makes no pretensions to detailed accounts of the work of 
the American ports, but the multiplicity of the Society's efforts for the 
seamen of the United States may be gathered from the following list of 
ports where the Society has been or is at work. What was said about 



34 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

the Foreign stations is equally true of the Home field, and some of the 
agencies are now self-supporting and independent of the parent Society. 

ATLANTIC COAST 
Maine— Portland. 
New Hampshire — Portsmouth. 
Massachusetts — Boston, Chelsea, Gloucester. 
Connecticut — New London, New Haven. 
Rhode Island — Providence. 

New York— Brooklyn (Navy Yard, William Street Bethel), Clifton, S. I., 
New York City, Troy. 

Canals — Chemung, Chenango, Erie. 

Lakes — Seneca, Cayuga, Ontario. 

Lake Ontario Cities — Oswego. 

Erie Canal Cities — Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo. 
New Jersey — Jersey City (Floating Bethel), Delaware and Raritan Canal. 
Pennsylvania — Philadelphia. 
District of Columbia — Washington. 
Maryland — Baltimore. 

Virginia — Alexandria, Norfolk, Richmond, Newport News- 
North Carolina — Wilmington. 
South Carolina — Charleston. 
Georgia — Savannah, Brunswick. 

GULF COAST 
Florida — Pensacola. 
Alabama — Mobile. 
Louisiana — New Orleans, Houma. 
Texas — Galveston. 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER 
Missouri — St. Louis. 
Tennessee — Memphis. 

GREAT LAKES 
Ohio — Cleveland. 
Illinois — Cairo, Chicago. 
Michigan — Detroit. 

PACIFIC COAST 
Oregon — Portland, Astoria. 
California — San Francisco. 
Washington — Seattle, Tacoma, Port Townsend. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 35 



WORK IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY 

The first issue of the Sailors' Magazine', dated September, 1828, had a 
cut on its front page, one of these quaint old wood-cuts, which is re- 
produced in this story of the American Seamen's Friend Society's work 
among Naval men. 

When the Society began its efforts the American Navy consisted of 
40 vessels, of which there were seven 74's, or ships of the line ; seven 
44's, or frigates of the first class; four of the second class, including 
the Fulton steamship; twelve sloops of war; seven schooners and other 
vessels. The Constitution, United States, and Constellation, historic old 
frigates, launched in the year 1797, were the oldest vessels in the Navy 
and still in service. When the American Seamen's Friend Society was 
founded in 1828, the spiritual force of the Navy was as follows: 



CHAPLAINS IN THE NAVY, 1828, WITH 

THEIR STATIONS 

Rev. James Brooks Navy Yard, New York 

" James Everett Navy Yard, Boston 

" Addison Searle Leave of Absence 

" Cave Jones Naval School, New York 

" John W. Grier Delaware 74 

" Edward McLaughlin Navy Yard, Gosport, Va. 

" Hervey H. Hayes Frigate Java 

" Greenbury W. Ridgley Navy Yard, Philadelphia 

' John P. Fenner Navy Yard, Washington 

At the celebration of its Eightieth Anniversary in 1908, the Navy has 
grown from a small fleet to 169. The enlisted men have increased tenfold, 
38,500; officers 2,550. While the actual, efficient and available force 
for sea service barely equals in number the staff as printed above. 

The chaplain of the Guerriere wrote with some illumination on Navy 
life ashore and afloat. On a voyage to the Pacific Coast he says the 
officers had good private collections of books and the ship a fair library. 
Regularly every Sunday divine worship was held and the Commander 
appointed daily prayers to be said at the hour of sunset. From the early 
stories of the Navy in those days we gather that the sins of the crew 
were just the same as in the year of larger light 1908. Ship discipline 



36 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



much about the same; only the dog watches were kept as times of jollity 
and abandoned to mirth more than at present. The difference between 
Naval life in 1828 and 1908 might be summarized thus. 

Ships went by sail. The voyages were longer; consequently the days at 
sea figured more in a cruise than they do now. When in port the men 



* 


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m 


m 


. H 


:.. M~ 


jj*£T 


:rrrr^?v 


12 




m 


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DEMOLOGOS (FULTON THE FIRST) 1813 
First steam war ship 

were in port for months at a time. Months at sea and weeks in port was 
the custom then. Weeks 'at sea and days in port is the custom now. 
With the added advantage of men schooled in the discipline of the long 
voyage when the sea, the clouds, and the heavens above spoke to the 




BETHEL SERVICE ON DECK OF THE RECEIVING SHIP "FULTON THE 
FIRST." JULY 18. 1828 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



37 



sailor longer and more clearly than a hurried rush across the ocean by 
steam would permit. 

The stations and chaplaincies of the American Seamen's Friend So- 
ciety were often the only spiritual forces at work on the Navy. In 
the thirties, forties, fifties, and up to the year 1875 foreign missionaries 
were not numerous in the great seaports in the Far East. Union churches 

for the American and European residents sprang into existence because of 




UNITED STATES BATTLESHIP VERMONT. 1908 

the dearth of the means of Grace. The regular ordained clergymen in 
a treaty port of China and the nearer East, the chaplain to seamen for 
many years, were the only really spiritual advisers the United States 
Naval men had for nearly forty years until missionaries increased in 
numbers and other Christian agencies went abroad. 

In the year 1876 the American Seamen's Friend Society appointed its 
first chaplain to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. His work was for enlisted 
men in the United States Navy. 

Mention should be made here of the placing of Loan Libraries on 
naval ships since the year 1877. 

Another and very potent, although short-lived, force for good in the 



38 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

Navy was the start in New York of the Naval Temperance Society. 
Thousands of men foreswore insidious liquor, which has wrought 
more harm and killed more men in the United States, Navy than all the 
shot and shell of the enemies it has fought. 

It would be invidious to make distinctions among the men who have 
faithfully worked for the spiritual benefit of "Jack," for the chaplains of 
the Society have earned "honorable mention" in this particular phase of 
Christian work. But any resume of work for seamen in the United States 
Navy would fall short if Jack Wood were not mentioned. He has gone to 
his reward after a fitful and adventurous life. His unregenerate years 
were stained with flagrant sin. He who was chief among sinners became 
chief among the apostles to naval men. The short career as chaplain in 
Brooklyn was rounded out by a glorious death in Christ. Hundreds of 
distinguished and undistinguished men in and out of the service mourned 
his death. But of his love and service it is not written on books, but on the 
souls of the men he redeemed by leading them to Him who is the Re- 
deemer of all men. Chaplain Fithian is the present incumbent at Cobb 
Dock Navy Yard. 

Within the last two years the Society's chaplains have been publicly 
thanked and commended by the admirals of the fleet for special services 
at Rio de Janeiro, Yokohama, and many other, ports. For it is interesting 
and worth remembering that at ten of the seaports in the world where the 
United States Navy and other navies make calls more or less lengthy, the 
American Seamen's Friend Society has chaplains to befriend the en- 
listed men. 




JOHN WOOD, COBB DOCK NAVY YARD. BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



39 



FLOATING CHAPLAINS 



LOAN LIBRARIES 

Before the American Seamen's Friend Society was a year old, in 
November, 1833, its first library had gone to sea, destination Honolulu, 




Sandwich Islands. The Brig Hcnnon, carrying Chaplain Diell, the newly 
appointed chaplain, commissioned to labor among the American whale- 
men for Honolulu w r as the Pacific rendezvous for the New England whal- 
ers. The students of Princeton University supplied the new chaplain with 
$500 worth of books, besides large quantities of pamphlets and papers 
for the seamen. From 1833 up to the present year, without cessation, 



40 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

literature has been sent on ships either loosely in bundles or cased in 
regular library boxes. In the early days of the Society, Loan Libraries 
were sent out by the Auxiliary Societies, from Boston, New Orleans, 
Philadelphia, and other seaports. As the salutary value of a library grew 
in the consciousness of shipmasters the demand increased until between 
the years 1837 and 1838 eighty Loan Libraries were sent to sea. Nothing 
further was done in an organized way until the year 1859, when the Loan 
Library System was organized and became a regular feature of the 
Society's operations. 

GROWTH 

1859 10 Loan Libraries sent to sea. 

1860 94 Loan Libraries sent to sea. 

1861 113 Loan Libraries sent to sea. 

1862 117 Loan Libraries sent to sea. 

1863 218 Loan Libraries sent to sea. 

1864 421 Loan Libraries sent to sea. 

Since 1859 a grand total of 25,708, an average of 521 per year for fifty 
years. In the fiftieth year of the Loan Library work 3,000 libraries are 
in active use. 

Number of books : 

The Loan Libraries contained 
620,808 volumes of general matter. 
26,702 Bibles sent in the Loan Libraries. 
12,000 manuals of worship. 
25,938 (estimated) hymn books. 

Since the beginning of popular hymn 
books, hymn books have been placed 
as the sailors know and love the 
catchy melodies. 
445,044 seamen have had access to the books 
by actual record, although more than 
one million seamen must have been 
reached by the books. 

The number of books sent to sea by the Loan Library System since 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



41 



its start in 1859 would nearly equal the present combined libraries of 
Princeton and Columbia Universities. 

AWARDS FOR LOAN LIBRARIES. 

Public recognition of the Loan Libraries has been generous and frequent 
in the daily press and monthly magazines. In 1900 the Paris Exposition 
Medal was granted the Society for its literary work, and at the Jamestown 
Exposition. 1907, a Diploma and Bronze Medal was awarded . for the 
exhibit of the Society, which included the Library Commodore Peary had 
with him in his Polar expedition. 



ffl 



BOOKS TO INSTRUCT 



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DIAGRAM OF LIBRARY WORK 



42 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



THE MINOR ACTIVITIES 

The main activities of the American Seamen's Friend Society in general 
terms have been the founding of chaplaincies, building of Bethels, i. e., 
seamen's churches, and the maintaining of the means of grace for sea- 
men, the promotion of mental and moral culture among seamen afloat by 
the Loan Library System, and philanthropic work, such as promoting 
Sailors' Homes, Mariners' Houses, Institutes, Reading Rooms, Coffee 
Rooms, Shelters and other places of a helpful character. 

This work has not been confined to one continent, nationality, color, or 
creed. The simple working policy has been to minister in every way to 
every seaman in whatever way the means and local conditions would 
allow. In welfare work for seamen no arbitrary, hard and fast rules are 
possible. Local conditions determine the nature and scope of the "work 
performed. Naturally there have been many outcroppings in the eighty 
years' history. 

Sea life with all its vicissitudes is the explanation of many of the 
minor activities in a well-conducted Seamen's church or institute. Who 
ever thinks that a seaman below the rank of an officer has no place or 
means of writing to wife and friends aboard of a ship. He must go 
ashore, repair to the Seamen's Reading Room, write and 
JACK'S receive his letters. Consequently many of the auxiliary 

BANKER stations of the Society handle as much mail matter as 

a second-class post office ; has money to be sent home to 
dependents. The chaplain acts as banker and postmaster combined. Last 
year the Society took care of 30,000 letters and about 40,000 packages and 
newspapers and over $50,000. 

Both a seafaring man's life and his work are precarious. It is no 
exaggeration but a simple statement of a fact easily verified that a steel 
plate or a strand of rope is all that stands between him and death and a 
month's wages between him and absolute destitution. At the end of every 
voyage the average sailor joins the ranks of the unemployed. Between 
being "paid off" from one ship and "signing" on another is often a 
grim, sordid, hungry chapter in his life's story. Not 
WHEN JACK that all sailors are profligate and spendthrift. Excep- 
IS DOWN tional men have saved money and retired to modest 

comfort. "Exceptional" in this instance is the correct 
term to use. But through dull shipping being "paid off" in a poor 
shipping port, and many other causes, few seamen remain long at sea 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



43 



without some time or other becoming positively penniless and in need of 
help. Exposure to bad weather, and hard work on deck or in the fireroom, 
sudden changes of climate, discharging and loading a cargo in unhealthy, 
malarious ports account for the large numbers of sick seamen, the Govern- 
ment Marine Hospitals, and Homes for Consumptives, pathetic com- 
mentaries on a seaman's workaday life. 

The moment a ship is lost a crew's wages stop. The same crew may 
escape, save their lives, but in nine cases out of ten Jack's baggage is lost 




MEASURING SHIPWRECKED CREW OF THE S.S. "REPUBLIC" 
FOR CLOTHING 

also. It makes a thrilling story in the papers to read of the gallant 
rescues by the brave men of the life-boat service. We. applaud the hero- 
ism of the rescuers and the rescued, forgetful of the fact that the rescued 
crew must begin life over again. Hence the interesting and helpful fact 
that every station of the American Seamen's Friend Society is a station 
for the relief of the shipwrecked and destitute crews in its immediate 
vicinity. 

In the eightieth year of the Society's history, which may be taken as an 
average year, 16,567 free meals were given to hungry seamen; 12,876 
homeless seamen (a small army) in all ports of the world were sheltered 
in their hour of distress. No record is kept of the stranded men cast on 
the docks that our chaplains have clothed and made presentable or sent 



44 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

to their homes. In the rigors of last January, when the White Star liner 
Republic was sunk, the brave crew was landed in New York clad in rags 
and borrowed clothes. To clothe the shipwrecked, crew was no easy 
matter, but it was done, and 200 clad and grateful men left the port of 
New York for their homes, leaving behind them in the pages of the New 
York press tangible proof of their heartfelt gratitude. This particular in- 
stance of the helpfulness of the Society is not singled out because 
of any special feature worthy of attention. It was no spasm of 
philanthropy, but an illustration of what a Seamen's Mission has been 
doing with unobtrusive quietness for eighty years. 

Long before the age of cheap newspapers and cheaper magazines, 
the Sailors' Magazine and Seamen's Friend was pleading the cause of Jack 
ashore and afloat. Its eighty completed volumes are in themselves a record 

of the Society's doings — without a subscription list suf-. 
"SAILORS' ficient at any time to meet the cost of its publication. 

MAGAZINE" Yet it has been the advocate of the Society and brought 

sympathy and substance that otherwise would never 
have been gained. Hundreds of the friends of the sailor know the sailor 
only through the pages of the magazine, which has kindled and kept alive 
an interest in their less favored brethren afloat, resulting in bequests large 
enough to pay the publication expenses of the magazine for several years. 
The Lifeboat, a children's paper, placed in Sunday Schools, has helped 
greatly in the Loan Library work. A Seamen's Hymn Book, published by 
the Society, helped to create a sea vision in the larger denominational hymn 
books and enriched the devotional life of the church. The 
WORSHIP rich symbolism of the sea has been used by writers of 
AT SEA hymns in a way that has in its reflex action aided Mis- 

sions to Seamen. A Seamen's Manual of Worship 
for the use of seamen afloat, is now in its twelfth edition. The 
testimony of sea captains and officers, extending over a number of years, 
is eloquent tribute to its usefulness, and will help to restore the ancient 
custom of the sea when, in the quaint language of articles of Captain 
Martyn Frobisher on his third voyage of discovery in 1578: 

XLo baniebe swearlnge, bice, caroes' plageinge, 
and all filtbie tall?, ano to serve (Boo twice a 
oate wltb tbe ordinaire Service ueuall in tbe 
Cburcb. 

To hasten the day when praise shall ascend to God on sea as well as 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



45 



on land a number of pious ladies founded the Annapolis Bible Fund in 
memory of one who greatly desired to promote the happiness and spiritual 
welfare of the young officers of the U. S. Navy on the day of his gradua- 
tion at the U. S. Naval Academy. 




SAMPSON ROW, NAVAL ACADEMY, ANNAPOLIS, MD. 



46 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

CHRONOLOGY OF THE AMERICAN SEA- 
MEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY 

1825. — Rev. John Truair suggested formation of American Seamen's 
Friend Society. 
Meeting called on October 25th of same year to take action. 
1828-'29. — Board and Executive Committee appointed. 

Start of the Sailors' Magazine. 
1829-'30. — First agent appointed. 
1830-'31 — David Abeel sailed for China. 

Agent appointed to visit the lakes. 
Beginning of Sailors' Home in New York City. 
1831-'32. — Origin of the New Orleans work. 

1832-"33. — First chaplain sent to Sandwich Islands ; also to Havre, France. 
1833-'34. — Society incorporated under the laws of the State of New York. 

Site purchased for a Society's House. 
1834-'35. — Rev. J. A. Copp sent to Havana. 
1835-'36.— Rev. A. Williams appointed to Mobile. 

Rev. O. M. Johnson ordained and dispatched to Rio de Janeiro, 
Brazil. 
1836-'37. — Arrangements made with missionaries resident in Calcutta, 
India, Batavia and Singapore, for them to labor on behalf of 
seamen. 
1837-'38. — The Rev. H. Looinis commissioned for New Orleans. 

Work in Cronstadt, Russia, began. 
1838-'39. — First church organization especially designed for seamen in 
foreign land was opened in Honolulu. 
Sailors' Home opened at 140 Cherry Street, New York. 
The first libraries sent on board ship. 
1839-'40. — Chaplain appointed to Calcutta. 

Sailors' Home opened at Singapore. Incidently, aid furnished 
to promote labors for seamen at Cape of Good Hope, Africa, 
Cadiz, Spain, and Inagua, W. I. Another boarding house 
opened in New York City. 
First co-operative work with the British and Foreign Sailors' 
Society in Cronstadt, Russia. 
1840-'41. — Rev. M. T. Adam appointed and sailed to begin work in Sydney, 
Australia. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 47 

1841-'42. — The third boarding house owned and managed by the American 
Seamen's Friend Society opened (first one for colored sea- 
men). 
1842- '43. — Emperor Nicholas of Russia granted permission to erect a place 
of worship for seamen in Cronstadt. 
Corner-stone laid for chapel at Havre. 
Gottenburg and Stockholm opened. 
Completion of New York Sailors' Home. 
1843-'44. — Work at Amsterdam. Holland, started. 
1844-'45. — Rev. H. Loomis appointed Associate Secretary of the American 

Seamen's Friend Society. 
1845-'46. — Three hundred and fifty-eight whaling vessels touched at Hono- 

lu^, having an aggregate of 10,000 seamen. 
1847-'48. — Work in Canton, China, resumed. 

Bethel opened at Hilo, Sandwich Islands. 
1848-'49. — Rev. D. Trumbull opened Bethel in Valparaiso, Chile. 

Rev. J. M. Pease visited principal ports in the West Indies 
with a view to openings. 
1850-'51. — Completion of the Floating Bethel, Canton, China. 
1851-'52. — Society's chaplain at Gottenburg imprisoned, tried, condemned 
and banished for preaching and distributing religious books. 
The Rev. J. Rowell appointed chaplain to Panama. 
1852-'53. — Work at San Francisco and Island of St. Helena opened. 
1853-'54. — Chaplain appointed to Callao, S. A. 

1854-'55. — The exiled Chaplain F. O. Nielson arrived in New York with 
over one hundred of his persecuted converts from his native 
country, and went with them to the Western States. 
St. John's, New Brunswick, grant given to support a chaplain. 
1856-'57. — Rev. John Spaulding resigned his secretaryship. 

Rev. J. C. Beecher, son of Lyman Beecher, appointed and sailed 
for China. 
1857-'58. — Chaplain appointed to Norway. 

Work started at Hong Kong and Buenos Ayres. 

Rev. A. McGlasham appointed Secretary for the Southern 

States. 
Rev. J. Rowell appointed to San Francisco. 
Arrangements made to secure greater unity for Christian labor 
for seamen. 



48 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

1858-'59— Rev. I. P. Warren, Secretary, resigned. 

Callao opened by the Rev. J. A. Swaney. 
Funchal, Maderia, opened. 
Loan libraries began as a systematic work. 
Revival of religion broke out in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 
1859-'60. — Rev. S. B. S. Bissel appointed Associate Secretary of the Society. 
First appropriation made for work at Caribou Island on Labra- 
dor coast. 
1861-'62. — The Southern secretaryship filled by the Rev. Mr. Cheney. 
Four ports opened in Norway. 
Beginning of Antwerp, Belgium, station. 
1862-'63. — Disruption of all relation with the Southern States in carrying 
on work for seamen. Nothing reported from the South until 
the close of the war in 1865. 
Rev. D. O. Bates appointed to the Navy Yard. 
1863-'64. — Owing to national disturbances all work in China suspended. 

L. P. Hubbard appointed Financial Agent of the Society. 
1864-'65. — F. O. Nielson returned to Sweden and appointed to Gottenburg. 

Beginning of work in Japan. 
1865-'66. — One thousand dollars appropriated by the Board for the pur- 
chase of a lot to erect Bethel in San Francisco. 
Dr. S. H. Hall elected Associate Corresponding Secretary. 
Reconstruction of the Society's work for seamen in the Southern 
States. 
1866-'67. — Securing of an act by the Board of Trustees for the better pro- 
tection of seamen in the port and harbor of New York. 
1867-'68. — Appointment of chaplain to Hilo, H. I, 

1868-'69. — Policy adopted for a more complete nationalization of the 
Society. 
Appointment of a chaplain to Shanghai, China. 
1869-70. — Society's total roll of workers was fifty-five. 
1870-71. — The retirement of Rev. H. Loomis from the secretaryship of 
the Society. 
Death of Father Taylor in Boston. 
1872-73.— The passing of the U. S. Shipping Law and the renting by the 
Shipping Commissioner of a part of the new Seamen's 
Exchange. 
Retirement of W. A. Booth from the presidency of the Society 
and the appointment of R. P. Buck. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 49 

1873-74. — Bethel dedicated at Savannah. 

A permanent fund placed in the Society's hands for the annual 
distribution of books to midshipmen of the U. S. Naval 
Academy at Annapolis, Md. , 
1874-75. — Appointment of Rev. W. T. Austen to Yokohoma. 

Appointment of Rev. A. Wollesen to work in the Society's 
Sailors' Home and the Seamen's Exchange. 

1875-76. — Report of mission work on Delaware and Raritan Canal and 
Erie Canal. 

1876-77. — Completion of the Mariners' Institute and Church at Antwerp. 

Great impetus given to the work among seamen by Moody and 

Sankey's visit to Brooklyn, Philadelphia and New York City. 

1877-78. — Readjustment of workers made in Scandinavian mission after a 

visit to that field by the Secretary. 
Xew mission commenced at Portland, Ore. First report from 

Puget Sound. 
Copenhagen, Denmark. Rev. Andreas Wollesen appointed. 

1878-79. — Hamburg, Germany. First grant made to British and American 
Sailors' Institute. 
Wilmington, N. C. Work begins. 
Tacoma. Washington. Bethel dedicated. 
Galveston. Texas. H. P. Young appointed chaplain. 
Honolulu, H. I. Ten members of the Bethel Church formed 
the First Church of Christ among the Chinese. 
1879-'80. — New York City. — Sailors' Home reconstructed, refurnished and 
reopened. 
Jersey City, N. J. Work begun among the boatmen and their 
families. Bethel ship John Wesley bought. 
1880-"81.— Death of Dr. H. Loomis. 

Hamburg, Germany. British and American Sailors' Institute 

dedicated. 
Havre, France. Rev. Henry Rogers retires. Property and work 

transferred to the Societe Evangelique. 
Marseilles, France. Sailors' Home opened. 
New Orleans, La. Church of the Brotherhood of the Sea and 
Land formed in connection with the Bethel. 
1881-82. — Norfolk, Va. Rev. J. B. Merritt appointed to succeed the Rev. 
E. N. Crane, resigned. 



50 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

Bonne Esperance Harbor, Labrador coast, N. S. Mr. Gerne 
appointed. 

1882-'83. — Iceford, Iceland. Mr. Louis Johnson begins work. 
Death of Rev. Titus Coan, D.D., Hilo, Hawaii. 
Funchal, Maderia Islands. Sailors' Rest opened; aid extended 

to Mr. W. G. Smart. 
Kobe, Japan. Mr. L. G. Lundqvist begins work. 
Wilmington, N. C. Capt. W. J. Potter succeeds Rev. J. W. 

Craig, resigned. 
Tacoma, Wash. Seamen's Friend Society organized. 
Seattle, Wash. Seamen's Friend Society organized. 
1883-'84. — Esquimaux Bay, Labrador. Rev. George Roger begins work. 
Valparaiso, Chile, S. A. Rev. Frank Thompson began work. 
Brooklyn, N. Y. Reopening of the work at the Brooklyn Navy 

Yard. 
Rev. F. M. Kip, D.D., commissioned to work at U. S. Marine 

Hospital. 
1884-'85. — Christiania, Norway. Mr. O. M. Levorson commissioned to 

succeed the Rev. Henry Hans Johnson, deceased. 
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Work resumed and Mr. Herbert Soper 

appointed. 
Rearrangement of relations between the Boston Seamen's Friend 

Society. 
1885-'86.— Death of Mr. John Lindelius. 
1886-'87. — Galveston, Texas. Rev. O. Halvorsen commissioned to succeed 

the Rev. A. Patterson. 
New York City. Seamen's Manual of Worship published. 

1887-'88.— New York City. Rev. W. C. Stitt, D.D., elected Secretary, to 
succeed Rev. S. H. Hall, D.D., resigned. 
Port Townsend, Wash. Seamen's Bethel opened. 
Charleston, S. C. Sailors' Home rebuilt and reopened. 

1888-'89.— New York City. Sailors' Home, Capt. Wm. Dollar appointed 
missionary. 

1889- "90.— Kobe, Japan. Rev. J. P. Ludlow appointed. 
1890-'91. — South America. In conjunction with the British and Foreign 
Sailors' Society, work resumed in the following ports : 
Buenos Aires. Sailors' Home opened; Rev. James Walker 
appointed. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 51 

Rosario. Sailors' Home; Rev. George Spooner appointed. 
Rio de Janeiro. Rev. Edward E. Wesson begins work. 
Montevideo. Harbor Mission and Sailors' Home opened; 
Mr. D. A. Williams appointed'. 

Sundsvall, Sweden. Rev. E. Eriksson stationed. 

Gloucester, Mass. Fisherman's Institute opened. 

Portland, Ore. Rev. M. Hayes appointed to succeed Rev. Rich- 
ard Gilpin, resigned. 

1891-'92. — Antwerp, Belgium. Rev. J. Adams appointed. 
Genoa, Italy. Sailors' Rest opened. 
Mr. John M. Wood appointed to Brooklyn Navy Yard. 

1892-'93. — Karachi, India. Sailors' Rest opened. 

1893-'94.— New York Gity. Library No. 10,000 sent to sea. 

Death of Mr. L. P. Hubbard, for thirty years Financial Agent 
of the Society. 

1895-'96. — Nagasaki, Japan. Seamen's Friend Society organized; Sailors' 
Home opened. 

1897-'98. — Helsingborg, Sweden. Mr. K. I. Berg appointed to succeed 

Rev. N. P. Wahlstedt, deceased. 
Savannah. Ga. Sailors' Home opened. 
Brooklyn Navy Yard. Rev. George B. Cutler appointed to 

succeed John M. Wood, deceased. 

1898-'99.— Washington, D. C. Bill for the Protection of American Sea- 
men passed. 
Election of Rev. C. A. Stoddard. D.D., to succeed Mr. James 
Elwell, deceased. 

1899-1900.— Brooklyn Navy Yard. Mr. H. G. Fithian appointed to suc- 
ceed Rev. G. B. Cutler, resigned. 

1900-'01. -Manila, P. I. Sailors' Home opened. 
1901-'02. — Rev. A. Wollesen completes twenty-five years' work. 
1902- '03. — Virginia. Mariners' Friend Society organized and the Newport 
News Sailors' Rest opened. 
Karachi, Japan. Work begun. 

1904-'05.— Death of Rev. W. C. Stitt, D.D., Secretary for fifteen years. 

Rev. George McPherson Hunter elected Secretary of the 

Society. 
Copenhagen, Denmark. New Sailors' Home opened. 



52 



An Eiqhty Years' Record of the Work 



1905-'06. — Rev. E. H. Roper transferred from Gloucester, Mass., to re- 
organize the work in Portland, Ore. 

1906-'07. — Laying of cornerstone of new Sailors' Home and Institute by 
Dr. C. A. Stoddard, President of the American Seamen's 
Friend Society. 

1907-'08. — Opening of the new Institute; celebration of the Eightieth 
Anniversary of the Society, and first Conference of its chap- 
lains and missionaries. 




THE EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

ANNUAL SERMON, DEDICATION 

OF THE 

SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE 

AND THE 

FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 

of Chaplains ) Missionaries and Workers 

OF THE 

AMERICAN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY 

HELD 

OCTOBER 4-10, 1908, INCLUSIVE 



54 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

THE EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
AMERICAN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY 

The American Seamen's Friend Society is eighty years old. It is an 
event of some importance to seafaring people. For with all due respect 
to the few older seamen's societies in this country, it still stands as the 
only national organization in America specifically doing a national and 
international work. It has always been absolutely non-sectarian, intensely 
evangelical and broad in its spirit. Many of the most important marine 
laws of a humanitarian character, such as the New York Board for the 
Licensing of Sailors' Boarding-houses, etc., have been promoted by the 
Society. The first seamen's church in the Pacific Islands, in China and 
Russia, were built by the Society. 

No other society in the world has sent as much good literature to sea, 
and without question it stands to-day as the largest distributor of the 
Word of God on the waters. It has aided the shipwrecked and the desti- 
tute seamen of all nationalities, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, buried 
the dead and pioneered in every good movement for the betterment of sea- 
men in these eighty years. 

The culmination of its eight decades of work is the perfection and carry- 
ing through of the new Seamen's Institute, 507 West Street, New York 
City. 

The first week in October has been set apart for the celebration of the 
Eightieth Anniversary, the official opening of the Institute and the first 
Conference of the chaplains and missionaries of the Society. 

PROGRAM 

Sunday, October 4th. Anniversary exercises. 

Morning: Brick Presbyterian Church, Fifth Avenue and Thirty- 
seventh Street, 10: 45. 
Rev. William Rogers Richards, D.D., 
Eightieth Annual Sermon. 
Evening: Calvary Baptist Church (Fifty-seventh Street and Sixth 
Avenue, at 7 : 45. 
Addresses by Rev. R. S. McArthur, D.D., and the visiting 

chaplains. 
Clinton Avenue Congregational Church, Clinton and 

Lafayette avenues, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Addresses by Rev. N. Boynton, D.D., and the visiting 
chaplains. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 55 

Monday, October 5th. 

Morning: Opening of Conference. 

Afternoon : Closer relations between the American Seamen's Friend 
Society and its auxiliaries. 

(a) Adoption of a flag. 

(b) Uniform literature. 
Evening : Reception to chaplains. 

Tuesday, October 6th. 

Morning: Conference. 

Buildings for work among seamen. 

(a) Influence on the men. 

(b) Style. 

(c) Care of them, etc. 

Evening: How to promote "important and useful" legislation 
among seamen. 
Wednesday, October 7th. i ; 

Morning : Literature for seamen. 

Afternoon : • Dedication of Sailors' Home and Institute, 507 West 
Street, New York City. 
Thursday, October 8th. 

Morning: "The boarding-house" problem; experience with seamen's 
boarding-houses. 

(a) Shipping of seamen. 

(b) Free shipping (experiences). 

(c) The attitude to be adopted in relation to 

shipowners, seamen and Seamen's 
Unions. 
Evening : Unfinished business. 

Subject: The sailor as a factor in the world's evan- 
gelization. 
Friday. October 9th. 

Morning: Closing of Conference. 

The ultimate aim of work for seamen. 
Afternoon : The motive for work among seamen. 
Evening: Consecration necessary for evangelization of seamen. 
Saturday, October 10th, 3 p.m.. 

The unveiling of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union Foun- 
tain. 



56 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

SERMON BEFORE THE 
AMERICAN SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY 

AT ITS EIGHTIETH ANNIVERSARY 

SUNDAY OCTOBER 4,1908 
By the Rev. WILLIAM ROGERS RICHARDS, D.D. 

IN THE BRICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK 



"Gbe Sbip anb tbe Xife" 

"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer ; for there shall 
be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship." — 
Acts xxvii : 22. 

What a strange estimate of values that was, that one man should be 
held worth so much more than the whole ship; for the ship, it appears, 
was to be lost; but the promise is that the man shall be saved; therefore 
"be of good cheer." That was the speaker's estimate; did all his hearers 
accept the same estimate, I wonder? 

It was a great corn ship bound for Rome ; ship of a thousand tons 
burden, very likely, and bearing a precious cargo of wheat for that hungry 
population. As they were sailing along the southern shore of Crete, a 
fierce storm had fallen upon them; and under its violence they had now 
been drifting westward for many days, the great ship leaking worse and 
worse, till hope of escape was nearly gone. Besides the cargo of wheat 
the ship carried men, some two hundred and seventy-six of them, different 
sorts of men; the owner himself was on board, the master, and the sailors, 
a centurion and company of soldiers ; and besides these some prisoners 
bound for Rome. 

It was one of these prisoners who spoke the words that I have taken for 
a text; and I am wondering how far his estimate of values commended 
itself to his various fellow-voyagers. "Sirs, I exhort you to be of good 
cheer ; for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the 
ship." In other words, the ship and all the precious cargo in it were not 
to be compared in value with one human life. 

That was how this prisoner Paul viewed the matter; for if it had been 
the other way, if it had been a man's life that was to be lost and the ship 
saved, that had been another story — one man's life lost, and the ship 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 57 

saved; one poor fellow slipping overboard, struggling in the waves, crying 
pitifully for help, drifting astern, gone. If Paul had been looking on at 
such a spectacle you would not have heard him saying, "Be of good cheer, 
sirs, for only a life is lost, and the ship is safe." Why, no; I think we 
should have seen him rather rushing to the rail gazing after the poor 
wretch, throwing out to him anything he could lay his hands on that might 
keep him afloat; and shouting to the pilot to come about and lower the 
boat; himself jumping into the sea, if he knew how to swim; anything 
to save that one imperiled life. And if all failed, and if now all hope of 
saving him had gone, if the man ha-d sunk finally out of sight, then the 
rest of the day would have been darkened, I think, for this Christian Paul. 
But when it was only the ship that was to be lost, while every soul on her 
would be saved — that kind of loss would not trouble his appetite much, or 
his sleep either. "Be of good cheer, sirs," he cries. Now I say, I wonder 
how far Paul's fellow-voyagers agreed with this view of the subject. 
The owner of the ship, for instance. This would be strange doctrine for 
him. "Good cheer, sir, not a soul lost, only the ship." "Only the ship, 
but that is all I have in the world. To lose my ship will leave me beg- 
gared; and all this precious cargo of wheat 'that was to make my ever- 
lasting fortune in hungry Rome — all of it sunk ; and the fool tells me to be 
of good cheer because a lot of good-for-nothing sailors and prisoners get 
safe ashore. Every soul of them might go to the bottom, and welcome, 
if only I could save my ship." I strongly suspect that was the owner's 
view of the matter. Paul's doctrine would be strange doctrine to him. 

And the sailors — well we know how Lhey felt about it. For they tried 
to make off in the night in the lifeboat, and leave ship, and owner, and 
soldiers, and prisoners, and every other soul on board to go to the bottom 
together. That was the doctrine of this particular crew of sailors — they 
cared not much for men's lives, unless it happened to be their own. 

And the soldiers? Well, we know that when the ship was beached a 
few hours later, and began to break up in the surf, the soldiers proposed 
killing all the prisoners lest some of them escape. According to the 
soldiers' doctrine a man, as such, was worth very little. It would have 
seemed to those soldiers the height of absurdity to suggest that one friend- 
less prisoner might be worth more than the whole ship. I doubt whether 
Paul would have found many subscribers to his novel creed in that ship's 
company. 

Suppose some pleasant day with fair wind blowing, everything drawing, 
ship holding her course, some luckless passenger had slipped and gone 
over, and a big shark following in the wake had snapped him up — why, 



58 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

those soldiers would hardly have stopped the throwing of their dice long 
enough to look over and see what became of him. The man at the helm 
gives one quick glance astern when he hears the splash and then turns his 
eyes forward again to the sail. "Only a worthless prisoner gone. The 
ship is safe, thank Jove. One life does not count." But to lose the ship 
and her cargo, and all their own personal effects ; to be spilled into the 
surf, and washed up half drowned on the beach, and pulled ashore by a lot 
of barbarians ; and spend the winter storm-bound on a little island. What 
sort of a prospect was that? I doubt whether there was another soul on 
board — unless two or three of Paul's fellow-Christians — who felt and be- 
lieved, as he felt and believed, that the humblest human life was worth 
more than the biggest ship and the richest cargo. 

That would have been strange doctrine anywhere in that First Century, 
afloat or ashore. Human life was cheap in those days. An army would 
march over the enemy's country and massacre the whole population, if it 
served their purpose. One baby more or less did not count for much in 
their estimate of values. Or if it served their purpose better, they would 
sell the whole population into slavery for so much gold. 

It seemed quite right to a Roman of those days that a troop of prisoners, 
or of gladiators, should be set hacking each other to pieces in the arena, 
to amuse the crowd on a holiday. It was a cheap show, fit for a public 
holiday. So this was strange doctrine then anywhere afloat or ashore, to 
say that human life was the one most precious commodity in the world, 
the one priceless commodity — any human life., every human life, "Jew or 
Greek, male or female, barbarian, Scythian, bond or free" — that every such 
life was worthy of a king's ransom. Strange doctrine, in that First Cen- 
tury of the Christian era ; but it was the Christian doctrine ; and Paul, 
since he became a Christian, had been mastering that doctrine, and now 
this was the doctrine that he was always announcing and commending to 
his neighbors — as when once he said : "Destroy not by thy meat him for 
whom Christ died ;" or here in the storm when he cries : "Good cheer, the 
big ship is doomed, but every life shall be saved." 

This Christian doctrine concerning the value of human life was not 
mastered at once even by all who called themselves Christians. In later 
days armies of soldiers marching under the cross have sometimes behaved 
themselves as unchristianly as any of the old legions of Rome. Not many 
generations ago in Christian England herself I seem to have read how a 
mother might be hanged who had snatched a loaf of bread for her starving 
child. "O God, that bread should be so dear, and flesh and blood so 
cheap." In the past I think it must be confessed that much of our legisla- 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 59- 

tion, even in Christendom, has been shaped with reference to the saving 
of the ship, irrespective of what becomes of the human lives. 

Indeed, is your own conscience quite easy as to your own personal atti- 
tude toward this question in some of its applications? Put yourself in the 
place of the owner of Paul's ship ; could you have cheerfully let the craft 
go to the bottom rather than sacrifice the life of one of the prisoners. Or 
even put yourself in the place of one of the passengers on that ship — 
could you have cheerfully let the craft go to the bottom, carrying all your 
baggage with it, breaking up your own plans for the year, imprisoning 
you for a dreary winter on a wretched island, rather than sacrifice the life 
of one poor prisoner or sailor? 

Or suppose the ship were a railroad company or manufactory, and you 
a stockholder in it, which do you care most about, the size of your own 
dividends, or the life of some brakeman coupling a train of freight cars ; 
or the effect of the factory work on the lives of the men and women at 
work in it? The world has been slow in mastering this great Christian 
doctrine which Paul proclaimed nineteen hundred years ago so clearly that 
it could be heard above the roar of the storm concerning the relative value 
of ships and of men, of human property and human lives. We confess 
that we have not mastered it yet. 

No; but at least we do begin to recognize it as the doctrine that will 
have to be mastered. We do begin to grow uneasy and ashamed at our 
stupidity over this great lesson ; and that it is something to be thankful 
for. If we are far from knowing the lesson yet, we begin at least to sus- 
pect that neither the tendencies of society about us, nor the consciences 
that God has put within us, will ever leave us at peace until that great lesson 
has been learned. I refuse to speak on this subject to-day in the tones 
of a pessimist. However, the old darkness still surrounds and covers us, 
yet the world is looking toward the light, and moving toward the light. 
For we do begin to feel the dignity and sacredness of men over ships ; of 
human lives over material things. Civilized society can no longer tolerate 
the selling of men or women for gold. A Roman Senator could calmly 
pay his admission and go in with entire self-respect to watch men kill each 
other in the arena for the public amusement — a Roman Senator could ; 
a United States Senator could not. Whether or not the instruction comes 
from men who call themselves Christians — it may come from men who 
repudiate that title ; it may come from labor organizations, it may come 
from some radical leader of social discontent; but the instruction is com- 
ing, and in such a way that we cannot close our ears to it that man's life 
consisteth not in the abundance of things that he possesseth, but rather in 



60 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

certain qualities inherent in the man himself; in other words, that the 
vital interests of this world always claim precedence over any kind of 
property interests; that "'the value of property itself, as many are now 
insisting, must be reckoned in terms' of the human industry and human 
devotion that have gone into it, and then of the vital human betterment 
that may be got out of it" — this last is a free quotation from Karl Marx, 
but, wherever it comes from, it is good Christian doctrine — in short, that 
living men belong on a plane of worth altogether above that of dead 
things ; that the value of the ship is not to be named in the same breath 
with that of the lives. That is the great Christian principle — Paul's prin- 
ciple, which he had learned from Jesus Christ. And though few have 
mastered the principle yet, though many have barely made a start at 
acquiescing in it, yet the whole world begins to suspect that the principle is 
sound, and that some day it will have to be written large into all the laws 
of nations and alt the creeds and customs of men. 

I am determined this morning to speak on this entire subject hope- 
fully. I am glad to adopt the very phrase of the apostle and cry, "Sirs, 
be of good cheer." The signs about us are so many that the day is 
breaking, the day of man's enfranchisement. Have you ever interested 
yourself at all in the widespread agitation against child labor, for instance, 
or any of the other reforms of the hour which are aimed against the 
tyranny of property interest over human interests? The world's property, 
it is true, goes on swelling; we have bigger ships to-day than any Roman 
sailor ever dreamed of. But we begin to see that all this property ought 
to be made to keep its place. Let me recall a single incident reported in 
our newspapers — perhaps^ a year ago — how a great liner was crossing the 
Atlantic, her cabins full of passengers, all impatient to see the end of 
their journey. How she carried mail on the prompt delivery of which 
depended the business interests of two continents. But one day in mid- 
ocean it became known that far down in the hold of this ship one poor 
stoker had been stricken with a disease of which some of us know the 
terror; and that nothing could save him but an immediate operation; and 
that the surgeon reported that it was impossible for him to attempt the 
task while the vessel was quivering under the blows of the great engine 
that was driving her through the waves ; and how by the command of 
the captain, and with the cheerful acquiescence of every soul on board, 
that great engine stopped; and the swift liner stood still in mid-ocean, and 
the commercial interests of two continents might wait for one full hour, 
while skilful brain and fingers were utilizing the latest attainments of 
surgical science to save the life of that one nameless shoveler of coal. Oh, 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



61 



if Paul had sailed as passenger on that ship, nobody need urge him to be 
of good cheer; you could not suppress his exultation, for he would see his 
own great doctrine getting itself established at last, that the man's life 
counts for more than the ship. 

We come together in this place to-day to thank God for another and 
still more significant token of the triumph of the same great Christian 
principle. Eighty years ago there was organized in this city a society of 
men deeply interested in the shipping of the world. There had been other 




TRANS-ATLANTIC LINER 

{Courtesy of Marine Journal) 

societies already in existence that were interested in the shipping of the 
world, and in various ways, whether as builders, or owners, or insurers, 
or as exporters or importers of goods — useful societies, many of them, 
essential in their way; but all these had been apt to concern themselves 
mostly with the value of the ship, or else with the value of the material 
cargo of the ship. The society organized here eighty years ago proposed 
to concern itself more especially with the value of the lives. In its view the 
men who manned the ship constituted the one highest interest. This 
society came into being under the constraint of Paul's doctrine that, when 
all is said, it remains true that the highest interest of the ship is not the 
ship itself, but rather the life; the living man in the ship. That view of 
the subject had been generally overlooked. There had been ways of insur- 
ing the ship or its cargo, but for a long time no one seemed to have 



62 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

thought to inquire how they should insure the shipmen. Here was an 
organization which would make that its one aim, for eighty years ago, in 
the year 1828, was organized a body which named itself the "American 
Seamen's Friend Society," friend of the men of the sea. 

I ought to say, however, that that date and that organization do not 
mark quite the earliest beginnings of the movement which we celebrate. 
Let me read you a sentence or two from certain reports of the Society 
itself which have been kindly put into my hands. "In the summer of 
1816" (twelve years earlier than 1828), "some of the members of the 
Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City (the Rev. Gardiner Spring's) 
were in the habit of holding prayer meetings in the lower part of the city 
in the hope of benefiting such classes of the population as did not fre- 
quent public worship. Some of these meetings in Water Street were 
attended by a few sailors and by other persons connected with the ship- 
ping. This suggested the idea of appointing a specific meeting for sea- 
men ; and the first one of the kind was held in a house then standing at 
the corner of Front Street and Old Slip. The meeting was successful 
and was followed by others of a similar character which awakened a con- 
siderable interest, and led to a participation therein by Christians of other 
churches and denominations." 

That was in 1816. Two years later, in 1818, the movement resulted in 
the formation of the New York Port Society, which still carries on its 
beneficent work. Ten years later, in further development of the same 
movement, was formed the American Seamen's Friend Society. The 
Brick Church esteems it an honor to have had even thus much to do with 
the first starting of the movement ; and counts it a privilege to participate 
in the present anniversary. 

I must not detain you at this time for any rehearsal of the details of 
later history; how the work of the Society has gone on extending till its 
blessed influences are felt around the world. But even with the hastiest 
glance over the record of the eighty years one's eye is caught by very 
significant items: 

1830 — "Beginning of Sailor's Home in New York City." 
"Agent appointed to visit the lakes." 

1831 — "Origin of the New Orleans work." 

1832 — "First chaplain sent to Sandwich Islands, also to Havre, France." 

1835 — "Rev. O. M. Johnson dispatched to Brazil." 

1837 — "W T ork begun in Cronstadt, Russia, Calcutta, Singapore." 

I will simply read some of the names of places to which from time' to 
time the Society extended her blessed influence : Cape of Good Hope, 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 63 

Cadiz, Australia, Gottenburg and Stockholm, Amsterdam, Canton, Chile, 
Hong Kong, San Francisco, Callao, Antwerp, Shanghai, Portland, Ore., 
Copenhagen, Hamburg. And that is only the beginning of the list. 

There is one item that I notice for the year 1893 : "Library No. 10,000 
sent to sea." 

One quickly catches the trend of such a history. Here at last was an 
institution, destined to be of world-wide influence, and concerned with 
the shipping of the world, but whose foremost interest was to be not in 
the dead ship or cargo, but in the living shipmen; not the thing, but the 
man; that by all means, and at all cost, the man should be saved, body 
and soul, for time and for eternity. Let them save the ship too, if they 
can, it is worth saving, when you think what service it can render 
humanity — but most of all save the man. That, I take it, is the motto of 
the American Seamen's Friend Society. And so as Christians we may 
well come together to-day, all of us, whether or not we have been closely 
identified with this particular Society, to celebrate its organization, and to 
thank God for its many years of honorable history. It stands as one 
more most encouraging token of the world-wide progress of this great 
Christian reform, the coming triumph of the great Christian principle, 
that "the life is more than meat, and the body than raiment;" that the man 
is worth more than all the things that he can own ; that whatever becomes 
of the ship the one great business of Christian society is to make sure that 
we save the lives. That is the meaning of our celebration to-day. Be- 
cause of what has been we thank God and take courage ; and we pray God 
that the good work may go on. 



ftbe voice on tbe waters/ 
"Carest tbou not tbat we perisb?" 



64 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



SAILORS' INSTITUTE DEDICATED 

BY CHARLES AUGUSTUS STODDARD, D.D., PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN SEAMEN'S 

FRIEND SOCIETY 

The celebration of the Eightieth Anniversary of the American Seamen's 
Friend Society took place during the first week in October. The Society 




SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE, 507 WEST STREET, NEW YORK 

deemed the occasion worthy of special notice for, many reasons. While 
there are a few seamen's societies in America which antedate it, this is the 
only national unsectarian organization in America which is doing both 
national and international work. The Sailors' Magazine makes no ex- 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 65 

travagant claims when it says that it has always been absolutely non- 
sectarian, intensely evangelical and broad in its spirit, has promoted 
many of the most important marine laws of a humanitarian character, 
and that the first seamen's churches in the Pacific Islands, in China and 
Russia were built by the Society. No other society in the world has sent 
as much good literature to sea, and it stands to-day as the largest dis- 
tributor of the Word of God on the waters. It has aided shipwrecked 
and destitute seamen of every race and nation, fed the hungry, clothed 
the naked, buried the dead and been a pioneer in even- movement for the 
betterment of seamen for four score years. 

The Society is just completing a new Seamen's Institute in New York 
at the corner of West and Jane streets, just opposite the great docks of 
the Cunard Steamship Company. So the first week in October was set 
apart for the celebration of the anniversary and an elaborate program 
prepared, including Sunday sermons and meetings, the opening and dedica- 
tion of the new Institute, and a conference of chaplains and missionaries 
of the Society at the Institute during the entire week. Some of the 
countries represented are Great Britain, Sweden. Denmark, Germany, 
Belgium, Italy, the Argentine Republic, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, and about 
fifteen States. The conference is the first of an international character 
ever held in the interest of seamen. The exercises were begun on Sunday, 
October 4th, by a special service in the Brick Presbyterian Church of 
New York. The President of the Society, Rev. Charles A. Stoddard, 
D.D., made a brief address, saying : 

"As President of the American Seamen's Friend Society, which cele- 
brates its eightieth year this week, I wish to thank the Brick Church for 
opening these anniversary exercises in this* house; and their pastor, the 
Rev. Dr. Richards, for honoring the occasion by preaching the annual 
sermon. The Brick Presbyterian Church has always been foremost in 
interest and care for seamen. In the summer of 1816 its members started 
prayer meetings for sailors in Water Street, which came to fruition in 
the New York Port Society, one of whose present officers is a member 
and an elder in this church. 

''From the organization of the American Seamen's Friend Society in 
1828, to the present time, the pastors and people of the Brick Church 
have stood by the Society and promoted its work in this city, in the ports 
of the nation, and in foreign ports. For such co-operation and friendship 
the Society is grateful, and as it closes four score years of life and labor 
in New York for the men of the sea, begins a new era, with fresh plans 
and a new and attractive Institute, it asks your hearty and continued 



66 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

sympathy and aid in its undertakings. The Institute is prepared to care 
for nearly two hundred officers and seamen in its new building, to give 
them the comforts of a home, good company and innocent amusements; 
and to the wrecked and destitute help, clothing, legal aid and a new 
start. The Society maintains Homes, Bethels and Institutes in thirty- 
two American and foreign ports, with chaplains and helpers. It also pro- 
vides loan libraries, of which it has sent out more than eleven thousand, 
on board ships sailing from New York, and to life-saving stations on our 
coast. 

"This work we propose to continue. We invite you to take part in it, 
tc visit the Institute, to read the reports from home and foreign stations, 
and to help us to put a library of good books upon every vessel which 
sails along our coast, or on long voyages across the sea. Above all, we 
solicit your prayers to God for the Society and for the thousands of 
sailors in whose behalf we are working. You will hear to-night from 
some of our chaplains in our own and foreign countries of the Society's 
work under their care." 

On Sabbath evening meetings were held in Calvary Baptist Church, in 
West Fifty-seventh Street, Manhattan, and in Clinton Avenue Congrega- 
tional Church, Brooklyn. In the Calvary Church Dr. Stoddard presided 
and the Rev. R. S. Mc Arthur, D.D., pastor of the church, the Revs. 
T. Johnstone Irving, of Naples, E. H. Roper, of Portland, Oregon, and 
Mr. John Golden, of Newport News, Va., made addresses, and musical 
services of an imposing character were conducted by Edward Morris 
Bowman and a solo quartet and a chorus of one hundred voices. In 
Brooklyn Mr. Hunter, with the Rev. James Sherrard, of New Orleans, 
the Rev. A. Wollesen, and the Rev. G. F. W r est, of Seattle, assisted the 
pastor, the Rev. N. Boynton, D.D., in a most enthusiastic and uplifting 
meeting. 

On Monday evening a reception was given to the chaplains ; on Tuesday 
afternoon Frederick B. Dalzell, Esq., one of the Trustees of the American 
Seamen's Friend Society, put one of his tug boats at the service of the 
delegates. Under the escort of the president, secretary and trustees, the 
visiting chaplains steamed through the North and East rivers, and were 
then taken to the Sailors' Snug Harbor on Staten Island, where they 
were handsomely received and visited some of the elegant buildings and 
grounds. 

Wednesday was set apart for the dedication and opening of the new 
building. The Building Committee had the Institute in good condition 
for exhibition, the Port Captain of the Cunard Company, Captain Roberts, 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 67 

had sent many flags for decoration, and Mrs. Sage, although unable to be 
present in person, furnished a life-sized portrait of her husband, which 
was hung over the stage in the Auditorium. The whole building was 
filled with visitors and invited guests, among whom were many prominent 
citizens and patrons of the Society, shipowners and agents of the great 
steamship lines, insurance and bank presidents, ladies who have inter- 
ested themselves in work for seamen, clergymen and Christian workers 
in benevolent and philanthropic societies in the city, officers of other or- 
ganizations engaged in work for seamen, and a large contingent of 
"Jackies"' and sailor lads, who expect to have the building for themselves 
in a few weeks. 

The services were opened by singing "How Firm a Foundation," and 
prayer by the Rev. John B. Calvert, D.D., of the Board of Trustees. The 
President then presented the Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, D.D. The vener- 
able man, then in his eighty-seventh year, delivered an eloquent speech, 
sitting in a chair at the front of the platform, and at the close rose' and 
led the audience in singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name." While 
the audience was singing Dr. Cuyler retired, unable longer to bear the 
excitement of the occasion. 

The President, Dr. Stoddard, then welcomed those present as follows : 

"Officers and Trustees of the American Seamen's Friend Society : I 
congratulate you upon this auspicious occasion. Ladies and gentlemen, 
friends of the sailor, I welcome you here to-day on behalf of the Society. 
Fellow-workers, chaplains in home and foreign ports, secretaries and 
officers representing other Institutes, Homes and seamen's societies, we 
are glad to meet you face to face and join hands and hearts with you* 
upon this happy anniversary. 

"And last of all, and let us hope best of all, is this company of seamen, 
captains and officers, engineers and stewards and sailors, for whom this 
building has been erected and is to be maintained; we- grasp your hanjls 
and say, 'Come in and be at home.' This is the sailor's place — call it the 
Sailor's Home, Seamen's Institute, Jack's Palace, or what you choose; it 
is for you to occupy, to enjoy, to use as freely and as carefully as you would 
your ship. We want you to take pride in it, to bring your comrades here ; to 
tell them, as you sail the sea, or go to foreign ports, that the American 
Seamen's Friend Society takes care of sailors in New York in first-class 
style and no mistake. We will try to make good all of your promises. 

"I am not to make a long speech to-day, for I did that when we laid 
the cornerstone of this building nearly a year ago; but there are a few 
things in the way of acknowledgment that should be said just now as we 



68 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

begin our exercises. We should recall our debt of gratitude to Mrs. Mar- 
garet Olivia Sage for the generous and unsolicited gift of money which 
has enabled the Society to erect this commodious and, useful Institute. So 
long as the Society endures will her name be associated with it, and her 
wish to make this building 'A refuge to the sailor on land and lead to the 
refuge beyond land and sea,' will find practical expression here. 

"There are other donors of money for the erection and furnishing of 
the building, who are to be thanked to-day for their gifts. Some of these 
gifts are doubly valuable as memorials of those who have faithfully 
served the Society as Presidents or Secretaries. The names of all such 
are upon our roll, but we are glad to have some of them upon our walls 
and associated with some of the rooms of the Institute, and they will serve 
to link the future life of the Society with an honored past. 

"This is also a fitting time to express our obligations to sister societies, 
who have given us counsel and sympathy in our arduous work, to many 
shipowners and managers of steamship lines, captains and seamen who 
have taken a practical interest in our undertaking; and lastly we would 
acknowledge the favors shown to us by the press of New York and other 
cities. The daily papers have been willing to give up space sO eagerly 
craved by politics and business to pure philanthropy, and the religious 
journals have accepted the sailor's cause as a part of their valuable con- 
tribution to the better life of mankind. We ask these papers to continue 
their interest in the work, and help us to make New York a safe and 
salutary place for the thousands of sailors who come here on board of 
vessels which crowd our docks. 

"Within one mile north and south of this building there are five thou- 
sand and five hundred sailors daily by actual count. These men are of 
every nationality, but all are accessible to friendly influences. We do 
not offer them charity (except temporary help to those who are ship- 
wrecked, sick and destitute ; for such we provide promptly) ; but we help 
them to help themselves, to maintain their self-respect, to resist tempta- 
tion, to enjoy life in a decent and sensible way, to save their wages, and 
take an interest in good reading, intelligent conversation and Christian 
religious services. That is what this building means ; that is what Mrs. 
Sage meant when she prayed that it might be 'a refuge to the sailor on 
land, and lead to the refuge beyond land and sea.' That is what the 
trustees mean to make a refuge and an inspiration ; not a lounging place 
for loafers, not a permanent harbor for stranded wrecks, but a port where 
the men of the sea can put in for shelter, defence, refitting and good cheer. 
Our superintendent, Mr. Green, says truly, 'Seamen, of all men, have been 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 69 

misunderstood and neglected, but the time has come when these men are 
to have a share in the benefits of a practical Christianity. And they de- 
serve it. There are no men in the world whose, hardships are sterner, 
whose temptations are fiercer, and whose hearts are truer and more full of 
the heroic spirit. 

"Preaching the Gospel of love to sailors is a great thing and has a 
large part in the divine plan; but practicing the Gospel of love is a greater 
thing. The spirit of the times is the expression of a practical Christianity. 
And the fruits of this spirit are a clean, healthy body, a mind filled with 
pure and noble thoughts, and a soul filled with the Spirit of God and 
love for one's fellow men; and this is the aim and end of this Institute 
of the American Seamen's Friend Society." 

Captain Charles B. Parsons. Chairman of the Building Committee, in 
an interesting and eloquent speech, formally handed over the building to 
the President of the Society, and Dr. Stoddard accepted the tender, say- 
ing in part : 

"Captain Parsons: The American Seamen's Friend Society owes a 
debt of gratitude to you and your associates upon the Building Com- 
mittee, for your intelligent devotion to the work entrusted to your care., 
For more than a year you have given time and thought to planning, 
erecting, supervising and completing this commodious and beautiful build- 
ing. With unwearied industry, cheerful patience and good judgment you 
have pursued and accomplished this work. You had practical knowledge 
of what sailors need and desire, and we see its realization here. 

"We cannot thank you enough, but the thousands of sailors who shall 
fill these rooms and share the benefits which you have done so much to 
provide, through many years to come, shall be a full and satisfying reward 
for all that you have done. To all the committees of the board, who have 
joined heartily in forwarding this work, by attention to its finances, its 
furnishing, and opening services, thanks, hearty and sincere, are ren- 
dered by all who love the sailor and represent him here. We do not 
forget the architects who have made this charity a matter of personal 
care and thought, as well as of official duty; nor the faithful and careful 
builders to whom this work had the character of a public trust. 

"And last and more than all, we praise our Secretary to-day for his 
efficiency and enthusiasm, his untiring industry and vigilance and wise 
forethought, whose results are before us wherever we turn." 

Captain Parsons in reply said : 

"The captain of a .sailing ship came on deck one day at sea and asked 
the man at the wheel how the ship was heading. The sailor replied, 



70 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

'West, south-west, half west, a little westerly, swinging west.' The captain 
smiled and said, 'Jack, if you will put another west in that I will give. you 
a glass of grog.' The wheelsman responded quickly, saying, 'West south- 
west, half west, a little westerly, swinging west, Captain West,' and Jack 
received his grog. 

''Great moral progress has been made since that day of sailing ships, 
and the seaman's highest award is no longer a glass of grog. 

"It used to be said of seamen, 'that they earned their money like horses 
and spent it like asses.' The propelling of the ship and the handling of the 
cargo by steam have relieved Jack of the drudgery of the heavy work, and 
elevated him in his own estimation, so that he is not so much of a horse 
at sea, or so much of an ass on shore. He earns his money more by using 
his judgment and uses better judgment in spending it. 

"All men prefer the enjoyment of a character foreign to their employ- 
ment, and the longer their period of service and confinement, the greater 
the rebound when relief comes. A seaman who has been at sea for months, 
with the daily monotony and hard work of a long voyage, lands on the 
wharf with money and freedom at his disposal and a desire for the 
brightest, gayest kind of life that the city can furnish, without regard 
to cost or effect. But the man whose voyage on a steamer has been a 
matter of weeks, or what is more frequently the case, of days only, is 
more reasonable in his demands, and more logical in his actions. The sea- 
men of to-day are consequently more amenable to reason, will accept of 
advice, use their privileges without abusing them to a far greater extent 
than formerly, and are more capable of appreciating what is being done in 
their interest. 

"Only partial attempts have heretofore been made for the entertainment 
on shore of the seaman, where he could find comfortable accommodations, 
and enjoyment that was free from injurious effects. 

"We open to-day a building prepared for both officers and seamen (and 
under these heads we include all who go down to the sea in ships), where 
all the comforts and conveniences of life are provided for them, placed 
at their disposal for a reasonable price. 

"Hereafter when the seaman has been discharged, or even temporarily 
left his ship, he can come to this Institute, and after depositing his 
dunnage in the baggage room, and registering at the office, can supply 
liis wardrobe at the store in the basement, take a plunge in the swimming 
pool, then dine in the restaurant, get the latest events in the reading 
room, smoke a cigar in the social hall, play billiards in the game room, 
or indulge in some other amusements. Deposit his funds or remit to his 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 71 

friends, at the office, attend a concert in the auditorium, or divine service 
in the chapel, and after chatting with new-made friends or old shipmates, 
retire in a clean and comfortable room for the night, with the feeling of 
satisfaction as he realizes that the call of the watch will not reach him, and 
that even seven bells in the morning may be at his own convenience. 

"These things may be daily repeated, varied according to the seamen's 
desires until they are ready for another voyage, when berths will be 
secured for them, suitable to their desires and capabilities. 

'"'We intend to go still further and have experts in navigation and 
engineering located in the building, where the men who desire may be 
instructed in these different branches, thereby increasing their chances for 
promotion, by having the theory as well as the practice. Advancement 
comes quickly to the man who is prepared for the position before it is 
open to him. 

"This Institute is a bi-product of the American Seamen's Friend So- 
ciety, and it has been built to be a friend to seamen, but it is not confined 
to American seamen. We hope to see all nationalities make use of this 
Home, and trust it may be a common centre for the maritime men of this 
great seaport. 

"We have but few foreign trading vessels or seamen, but we have a 
large fleet of coastwise, West India and Gulf of Mexico vessels, both steam 
and sail, manned by American officers and men, who are either to the 
manner born, or naturalized American citizens, to whom the privileges of 
this Institution are most cordinally extended, but we are acting under the 
divine command 'Go preach the Gospel to all nations,' and we must be 
ready to give the Gospel of Morality and Christianity to those who come 
to us, as well as to those who are waiting for us to come to them. 

'We will endeavor here to instill into the minds of our patrons, aspira- 
tions for the highest standards of integrity and morality, and further 
than that, and better than that, a desire for a practical knowledge of true 
Christianity, and this we hope to do by precept, opportunity and the 
influence of good association. 

"This Institute will be conducted under three of the great evangelizing 
influences, of the world, the Bible, the English language and the American 
flag, for the benefit and interest of the seamen of the tfniverse. who come 
to this the great seaport of the United States located at New York." 

The Rev. John Bancroft Devins, D.D., editor of the New York Observer, 
then offered the prayer, dedicating the building, in the name of the ever- 
living God. to the welfare of sailors from every land, and closing with 
the Lord's prayer, in which the audience joined. 



72 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

Mr. Hunter, the Secretary of the Society, spoke of the financial con- 
dition of the Society, and of the gifts that had been made, and made an 
appeal for $50,000 to complete the enterprise free from all debt. After 
addresses from Admiral Coghlan of the U. S. Navy, Anton Raven, Esq., 
President of the Atlantic Mutual Marine Insurance Company, and Mr. 
Charles A. Green, the superintendent of the Institute, who gave an inter- 
esting resume of proposed ''events" at the Institute for the month of 
October, the bailboats were passed by quartermasters of the steamship 
companies and several thousand dollars were handed in. A number of 
rooms were also taken for furnishing by visitors. 

The closing address was made by Rev. Edward W. Matthews, senior 
secretary of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, who brought the 
congratulations of that body in an elaborate paper, and a souvenir from 
Princess Louise, and another from Queen Wilhelmina of Holland, for 
Mrs. Russell Sage, and also expressed in most eloquent and appropriate 
language the fraternal and Christian sentiments which animated the 
British and American societies in their international work for seamen. 

The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. T. Johnstone Irving, 
chaplain at Naples, and the assembly dispersed to inspect and enjoy the 
beautiful building and its wonderful provision for sailors in the port of 
New York. The remaining days of the week were occupied by the con- 
ference, and on Saturday afternoon an Italian marble fountain, the gift 
of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was unveiled with suitable 
ceremonies. The Institute is now in working order and friends will be 
welcome to see it in its everyday clothes and ready to accept their gifts 
and co-operation in its useful and philanthropic labors. 



"Zo (Sive Xigbt, 
anb to 5a\>e Xife." 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF 

CHAPLAINS OF THE AMERICAN 

SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY 



OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE 

The first of the series of conferences on Seamen's Work commenced 
this morning, Monday, October 5, 1908. The Secretary of the Society, 
Rev. George McPherson Hunter, occupied the chair. 

It was impossible for some of the chaplains to be present, especially 
those from foreign countries. Chaplain Donald Miller, D.D., Genoa, Italy, 
is in his seventieth year and scarcely dared face the long journey. Chap- 
lain Austen, of Yokohoma, could not arrange to be present ; even if he had 
planned to, the presence of the Pacific coast fleet at Yokohama in October 
would have demanded his presence at his post. 

REPRESENTATIVES AT THE CONFERENCE 

The following chaplains and missionaries representing the various fields, 
along with respresentatives from London, Boston, Toronto, Montreal and 
New York were present at the opening of the Institute and the first 
Conference of the American Seamen's Friend Society's missionary staff — 
October 4th-10th. 

Europe 
Sweden: Helsingborg, \ 

Stockholm, y Christian Nielsen. 

Gottenburg, ) 

Denmark: Copenhagen — Rev. A. Wollesen. 

Germany: Hamburg — George Speedie. 

Belgium : Antwerp — Rev. J. Adams. 

Italy: Genoa. ) 

>T , V Rev. T. Johnstone Irving. 

Naples, ( 

South America 

Argentine Republic: Buenos Aires, ^ 

Rosario, I H. F. Fellows. 

Uruguay: Montevideo, \ 

Brazil : Rio de Janeiro — H. C. Tucker. 

Chile: Valparaiso — 



74 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

- United States of America 

New York : New York City — Charles A. Green, H. $. Twitchell, A. Mans- 
field, Josephine R. Upham. 
Brooklyn U. S. Navy Yard— H. G. Fithian. 
Massachusetts : Gloucester — Alpheus E. Tuttle. 
Virginia : Norfolk — 

Newport News — John Golden. 
South Carolina : Charleston — Rev. V. C. Dibble. 
Florida : Pensacola — 
Georgia : Savannah — 

Brunswick — K. D. Stuckenbrok. 

Alabama: Mobile — 

Texas : Galveston — Rev. J. F. Sarner. 

Louisiana : New Orleans — James Sherrard. 

Oregon: Portland ) 

I Rev. E. H. Roper. 
Astoria, l 

Washington: Tacoma, ) _ 

I Rev. G. F. West. 
Seattle, f 

California: San Francisco — 

The British and Foreign Sailors' Society represented by Rev. E. W. 
Matthews, Senior Secretary. 

Toronto, Canada, by Rev. James Potter. 

The Boston Seamen's Friend Society by Rev. C. P. Osborne, Secretary, 
Mariners' House, Rev. Geo. L. Small. 

The New York Port Society by Theophilus A. Brouwer, President, 
Rev. S. Boult, Chaplain. 

The German Lutheran Seamen's Association by Rev. W. Thun. 

Montreal, J. Ritchie Bell. 

After the devotional exercises, greetings were read from various so- 
cieties and from chaplains who found it impossible to attend the gathering 
in person. 

Genoa, Italy, September 17, 1908. 

The noble record of work done by the Society during the 
eighty years of its existence is an inspiring one. Only the 
great day will fully reveal what we can but know in very small 
measure now. 

But if the record of the past is inspiring, the time has not yet 
come for the Society to rest on its oars. The work for sailors 
must go on till there shall be no more sea. And your Society is 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 75 

now giving proof that, so far as it is concerned, that work is 
to go on with a fuller equipment, a wider horizon and a 
grander ideal. 

The inauguration of your new Institute, so far in advance of 
any that has yet been, should be a call to your chaplains in 
every port of the world to aspire to something greater and 
better than they have yet attained in their efforts to raise the 
moral and spiritual tone of seamen. We want seamen to be 
not only disciples of Christ but missionaries for Christ. When 
will that be? My fellow workers! a long pull, a strong pull 
and a pull all together, and with God's blessing on our labors 
it may be sooner than we think. Oh ! for the faith that laughs 
at impossibilities and says it shall be done. 

Yours in the Master's blessed service, 

Donald Miller, 
Chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. 



Antwerp, Belgium, September 18 1908. 
I sincerely wish every success to the Conference. May your 
great "forward movement," under the guidance and blessing 
of God, be a moral and spiritual benefit to multitudes ! 
I remain yours truly, 

J. Adams, 
Chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. 
Rotterdam. Holland, September 16, 1908. 
The committee of the Rotterdam branch beg herewith to 
send their very hearty congratulations to the American Sea- 
men's Friend Society on the opening of their new Institute in 
New York, on the good work done in the past and the splendid 
prospects for the future. The Rotterdam branch would ex- 
press their confident hopes that this brilliant function in con- 
nection with the American Seamen's Friend Society may prove 
an earnest and a pledge of the still wider and more potent 
influence which the Society is destined to exert in so many 
ports throughout the world for the moral, social' and spiritual 
benefit of seamen, for their highest welfare and the spread of 
the Master's kingdom. 

Very faithfully yours, 

J. Irwin Brown, Secretary. 



London, England, October 2, 1908. 
I assure you that my heart is with you, and wishing you 
every success and blessing. 

Yours very sincerely, 

David Roe, 
Secretary of the Queen Victoria Seamen's Rest, under 
the auspices of the Methodist Church. 



76 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

Yokohama, Japan, August 26, 1908. 

In the providence of God I am prevented by unavoidable cir- 
cumstances from meeting with you on the auspicious occasion 
of the celebration of the Eightieth Anniversary of our beloved 
Society, and the opening of the splendid new building, known 
as the Sailors' Home and Institute, New York. While I greatly 
regret being unable to be present with you in the flesh, and 
having fellowship with so many dear noble fellow-workers 
and brethren in the Lord, I desire at the same time to assure, 
you: that I am with you in spirit, and in earnest intercessory 
prayer, that Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, may gra- 
ciously accept the solemn and reverent offering of praise and 
thanksgiving for all His mercies vouchsafed to the Society, 
its officers and workers, during the past eighty years, and that 
He may grant an abundant outpouring of His Holy Spirit 
upon you while assembled in council day by day, so that the 
result of this gathering may be seen in all the coming days, in 
greater things being done for the kingdom of God, in the 
salvation of seamen, and the betterment of the conditions 
under which they labor. 

It has been my greatly esteemed privilege to labor under our 
most noble Society since my appointment of the 4th of March, 
1874, and I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to thank 
the officers of the Society for the continuous and unwavering 
support they have given me in the pursuit of my calling, and 
for their prayerful sympathy with me in my life and work. 
Yours in His name and service, 

W. T. Austen, 
Chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. 



Valparaiso, Chile, S. A., July 8, 1908. 
I am sorry that it will be' impossible for me to be present at 
the anniversary services and Conference of the chaplains in 
connection with the opening of the new Seamen's Institute. 
However, I will be with you in heart and spirit, and will 
mingle my prayers with yours for the Lord's blessing to rest on 
all present, and to prosper all that is done for the extension of 
His kingdom among the men of the sea. I congratulate the 
American Seamen's Friend Society on its long, faithful and 
very successful years of labor for seamen, and for this glorious 
result of eighty years of patient, persistent and wise endeavor 
to provide an incomparable home for the body as well as the 
soul of the sailor. Mrs. Thompson joins me also in these senti- 
ments, and furthermore, we congratulate you in being ap- 
pointed of God to have such an active part in bringing this 
splendid work to such a brilliant conclusion. This new Insti- 
tute will be a memorial of work well done for the memory 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 77 

of the many faithful men who have passed from their labors 
here to their glorious reward above, as well as for those who 
have taken their places and are to-day bearing with such ad- 
mirable faith and Christian courage their increased burdens. 
Our new Institute will be a worthy monument of Christian 
faith and belief in the salvation of seamen, and an honor to 
our beloved city, New York. 

Faithfully yours, 

Frank Thompson, 
Chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. 



Copenhagen, Denmark, August 1908. 
We herewith beg to convey to the American Seamen's 
Friend Society our heartfelt greetings on attaining the Eigh- 
tieth Anniversary of their most notable work among the toilers 
of the ocean, and render our sincere thanksgiving to the Lord 
for enabling you to carry on this noble work so long through- 
out the length and breadth of the world, and especially here 
in Scandinavia, where our dear friend and brother Wollesen 
has been engaged during the past thirty-two years. 

May it please God still to continue to bless your work in 
the future and increase your faith ia His almighty power, to 
send you the means to guide the wandering, storm-tossed 
seamen into a harbor of refuge and safety. 

Yours in the bond of the Gospel, 
E. Elischon Holm, A. Ewert, 

Paul Nielsen, D. M. Campbell, 

A. Wollesen, John D. Braid. 



Helsingborg, Sweden, August 12, 1908. 
The Board of Directors of the Swedish Seamen's Bethel 
Union passed the following resolution: 

"Resolved, With knowledge of the great work conducted by 
the American Seamen's Friend Society, which has been a 
blessing to so many seafaring men all over the civilized world, 
we beg to convey to you our appreciation and gratitude for the 
Christian work your Society has done and is still doing 
among the Swedish sailors. We pray sincerely that God may 
continue to crown your efforts by giving you a rich harvest 
of precious souls among the seafaring men. 

Anders Aberg. President, 
John Nilsson, Secretary. 



Gottenburg, Sweden, September 5, 1908. 
The committee for Seamen's Reading Room in the port of 
Gottenburg sends, in thankful remembrance of the long and 
devoted care you have given to the sailors visiting your port, 



78 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

their most hearty and respectful greeting and compliments. 
May God continually pour out His rich blessing on your great 
work all over the world. 

Valdus Bengtson, Chairman. 



Stockholm, Sweden, September 1, 1908. 
May the refreshing streams of blessing from heaven over- 
flow the Conference, and may the abundance of love and 
power of our Lord Jes.us Christ be revealed to every soul. 

Thousands of sailors' widows and orphans from all nations 
are blessing the American Seamen's Friend Society for the 
relief and help given to them in time of distress, and hundreds 
of Swedish sailors through me express their humble gratitude 
for all the love and kindness showed to them during the past 
twenty years. 

My wish and prayer is that the Conference will be the 
greatest success for time and eternity. 

Th. Hedstrom, 
Chaplain of the American Seamen's Friend Society. 



Stockholm, Sweden, September 1, 1908. 
Your Society celebrates their Eightieth Anniversary in 
October and we feel obliged to send you our most sincere 
congratulations for the work you have been able to do among 
seamen at home and abroad, of which work we have seen 
features in our own country. At the same time we must 
express our hearty wishes that God may give you more power 
and ability to continue this work in. the future, so that it 
may flourish in a still higher degree to the glorifying of the 
name of our Lord among the sons of the seas. 
Yours faithfully, 

J. V. Palln, Secretary. 



Various committees were then appointed. 

Devotional Committee : Rev. T. Johnstone Irving, Naples, Chairman ; 
Rev. A. Wollesen, Copenhagen; Mr. George Speedie, Hamburg. 

Committee on Resolutions: Rev. E. W. Matthews, London; Rev. G. F. 
West, Seattle; Rev. H. C. Tucker, Rio de Janeiro. 

Committee on Relations of American Seamen's Friend Society and its 
Auxiliaries: Rev. E. H. Roper, Portland, Chairman; Mr. John Golden, 
Newport News ; Mr. James Sherrard, New Orleans. 

Rev. George McPherson Hunter was appointed permanent Chairman, 
and Mr. George Speedie Secretary to the conference. 

Monday Afternoon. — The afternoon session was presided over by Rev. 
Dr. John B. Calvert, one of the Trustees of the American Seamen's Friend 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



79 



Society, and editor of the Baptist organ, The Examiner, who introduced 
the subject of conference, "Closer Relations between the American Sea- 
men's Friend Society and its Auxiliaries." He noted three things he 
thought would strengthen the bond between the American Seamen's Friend 
Society and the many stations throughout the world : 

I. A deepening of the interest in our common work. 

II. Frequent communication with one another. This can be done by 
letters and frequent visits. 

III. Looking continually to the same source for help. "God is our 




DELEGATES TO CONFERENCE 

help." Those in the fields far apart will be closer drawn to the head So- 
ciety, and to each other by prayer and supplication — long and earnestly. 
The following paper by Rev. G. F. West, Seattle, was read : 



CLOSER RELATIONS BETWEEN THE AMERICAN SEAMEN S FRIEND SOCIETY AND 

ITS AUXILIARIES 

"We notice with a peculiar interest that the three great leading inter- 
denominational missionary societies, the American Bible Society, the Ameri- 
can Tract Society and the American Seamen's Friend Society, chosen to 



SO An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

carry the glad tidings of salvation to all the people on land and sea, are 
centered in New York. 

'"'Born of the same spirit they have worked hand in hand with their 
agencies : chaplains, missionaries, secretaries, laymen and colporteurs, in 
their churches, chapels, Bethels, Homes and on board of ships, by preach- 
ing—the Gospel, and by visiting the sick and unfortunate everywhere, 
especially in the neglected parts of the earth. Though similar in their 
work, purpose and organization, yet distinct in their calling; for what 
the Bible Society is to the people on land the American Seamen's Friend 
Society is to the people on sea. 

. "We are especially interested in one of these Gospel agencies at this time 
and will notice that in the spring of 1816 the Holy Spirit moved the heart 
of Rev. Mr. Stafford to carry the Gospel to the men of the sea which 
resulted in the organization of the Society for Promoting the Gospel 
among Seamen in the Port of New York, and in establishing the Mariners' 
Church in Roosevelt Street, near the East River. While this society was 
organized for the specific purpose of maintaining a Mariners' Church, 
and was necessarily a local institution, it was judged expedient to organize 
another association which, while acting in union with the former, should 
be distinct from it. Consequently the New York Bethel Union for ship 
services was formed, and at the first meeting on board the ship Cadmus, 
lying at the Pine Street wharf, the first Bethel flag in an American port 
was hoisted to the masthead on Friday, June 22, 1821. 

Early Operations in Other Ports 

"While these movements, such as ship visiting and ship services, organi- 
zation of the Seamen's Savings Bank, publication of the Sailors' Maga- 
zine, Christian Herald, Bethel Union Messenger, and distribution of tracts 
in behalf of seamen in the port of New York were in progress, similar 
efforts were also begun in other ports. 

"From the report of the Mariners' Magazine for 1825, we learn that 
there were then in existence seventy Bethel Unions, thirty-three Marine 
Bible Societies, and fifteen churches and floating chapels for the benefit 
of seamen. The Bethel flag had circumnavigated the globe, thousands of 
sailors had been hopefully converted and the cause had come to be recog- 
nized as among the most important and most successful Christian enter- 
prises of the day. It was at this juncture that the idea of organizing the 
American Seamen's Friend Society was put forth in an editorial by Rev. 
John Truair in the Mariners' Magazine of July 23, 1825. After alluding 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



81 



to other great enterprises then being undertaken for the advancement of 
the Christian cause, he remarks : 

" 'But these are not the only efforts of Christian beneficence. 
While this splendid machinery is extending the means of sal- 
vation to heathen tribes, while so many of the benevolent and 
zealous are consecrating their energies to. extend the blessings 
of the Gospel to foreign shores, it is consoling to observe that 
a tender and impulsive concern is beginning to operate in be- 
half of seamen. In many of our seaports, societies have been 
formed under the influence of this feeling, and sufficient has 
already been done to prove their utility and importance. They 




CHAPEL WHERE CONFERENCE WAS HELD 

are yet, however, in comparative infancy, and have hitherto 
derived no support from the aids which have given strength 
and influence to their great contemporaries. Few in number 
and feeble in strength, they have been nearly overlooked amid 
the splendor and interest of these more conspicuous opera- 
tions. Thus circumscribed in their means, and without con- 
cert of action, their usefulness must continue proportionally 
limited. With no certain means of support, these societies, 
which are undeniably among the most important institutions 
of this age of benevolence, may suffer and soon become merely 
nominal. In seeking for some means to prevent such a result 
and extend the usefulness of these valuable associations, we 



82 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

have arrived at the conclusion that a general union, on the 
principle of the Bible, Tract, and other contemporaneous in- 
stitutions, would secure the desired object; thus producing a 
concentration of efforts, and a unity of action as well as of 
design.' 

"'This suggestion was favorably received by friends of seamen gen- 
erally. In the following September a communication appeared in the 
same publication, signed by one hundred and fourteen masters and mates 
of vessels, expressing a deep interest in the promotion of morality and re- 
ligion among sailors, and a hope that the project of a national society, on 
the principles of the other general institutions of benevolence in this coun- 
try, would be carried into effect. The plan having also been endorsed by 
others in various parts of the country, a public meeting was held to take 
action in the premises. An extract of the official record of that meeting 
states : that a large and respectable meeting of the citizens of New York 
City was held at the City -Hotel on Tuesday evening, October 25, 1825,. 
for the purpose of adopting measures preparatory to the formation of an 
American Seamen's Friend Society. Resolutions were passed and steps 
taken to organize a national Seamen's Friend Society which was done at 
a later date. Thus, through great exertions, was born into the family of 
American general charities an institution which has had the honor of 
supplying a great vacancy in the line of Christian effort for needy and 
perishing men. It is the only Society, in this country, which labors 
directly for the benefit of -American seamen away from our shores. Local 
societies sustain various efforts in their behalf at home, and some other 
institutions extend incidental aid to them abroad, but the American Sea- 
men's Friend Society alone sustains suitable establishments for the spiritual 
welfare of our seamen in other lands. It is the intermediate link between 
the foreign and home missionary work of the church, binding the two in 
one chain of co-operative fellowship, through which the Gospel encircles 
the world. 

"For eighty years the Society has stood by its auxiliaries both in paying 
the chaplain's salary and helping to build churches, bethels, homes and 
institutes, and in many instances has been their only support for years. 
Article VI. of the Constitution of the American Seamen's Friend Society, 
states that any society whose object is the welfare of seamen may become 
auxiliary of this Society by expressing its desire, forwarding its Con- 
stitution, list of officers and annual report. Each auxiliary shall be en- 
titled to send one delegate to all the meetings of the Society and of the 
Board of Trustees. While some of the auxiliaries are over thirty years 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 83 

old, they are still dependent on the parent Society for their support and 
yet the Society has limited supervision or jurisdiction over them. Unless 
these auxiliaries are drawn nearer to the parent Society with stronger 
ties than before, there is danger of losing everything in the ports where 
the Society has spent thousands of dollars. 

"The American Bible Society has taken steps to strengthen their out- 
posts by a systematic way which is commendable, as we notice in the 
Pacific Christian Advocate of September 9, 1908: "During the last score 
of years, all local auxiliaries have found it increasingly difficult to main- 
tain their work at the former degree of efficiency, and the American Bible 
Society has found its work of distribution steadily encroaching upon the 
territory formerly covered by other organizations. So strong has been 
the current in the direction of consolidation that two years ago the plans 
were definitely changed and there began a reorganization of the work.' 

"Under the new plan, the American work is administered under six 
general agencies, each in charge of an agency secretary. The advantages 
of this new plan are : 

"First, the unification and simplification of a well-organized and cen- 
tralized work: 

"Second, a great saving of administrative expense; 

"Third, there is now but one society in the field and that is the Ameri- 
can Bible Society; 

"Fourth, the new plan involved an immediate and vigorous campaign in 
the Northwest and the result therefrom will prove a blessing to the people. 

"The Washington State Bible Society and the Southwestern Washing- 
ton Bible Society have both formally taken action ratifying the new plan 
and co-operating therewith. The California Bible Society has turned over 
its entire work to the American Bible Society and is heartily co-operating 
with the new work. This union of the auxiliaries to the national society 
has resulted in the offer of $500,000 for the Bible work by the same 
King's handmaid who has made the erection of this Seamen's Institute 
possible. 

"The American Seamen's Friend Society has for years seen the neces- 
sity of a stronger and closer relationship with its auxiliaries and it has 
also been aware of the difficulties which have arisen from local conditions 
to check the progress of a successful negotiation for a satisfactory arrange- 
ment on a definite basis, which would anchor the auxiliary to the National 
Society, so as to insure its future operations. While these negotiations 
have not brought satisfactory results, much has been learned in regard to 
the conditions and attitude of the various auxiliaries. 



84 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

"It has been the custom of the local societies to frame their own Con- 
stitution and By-Laws much to suit themselves, and, of course, have 
acted independent in their administration which has . tended to widen the 
gap between the parent Society and the auxiliary, to such an extent that 
some of the societies are almost lost in the gap, while few have gone 
under entirely. Local boards have not always acted wisely in the dis- 
position of the property held by them in trust for the societies. The 
heavy loss of property, influence and confidence, which is the result of a 
careless administration by these local boards, has not only sapped the 
life out of the auxiliary societies, but it has affected the parent Society to 
such an extent that the very best chaplains in the field and the most inter- 
ested men on the Board feel that the time has come for a radical change 
of policy and that the parent Society must make an emphatic declaration 
like the American Bible Society: That henceforth there shall be but one 
Society in the Held and that is the American Seamen's Friend Society." 

The discussion was taken part in by Dr. Stoddard, President of the 
American Seamen's friend Society, Rev. E. W. Matthews, London, Chap- 
lain Wollesen, Copenhagen, Chaplains Roper, Sarner, Sherrard, Golden, 
and others. Dr. Stoddard referred to the great desirability there was of 
so raising the Christian tone of cities or towns where Institutes exist that 
seamen would be well looked after locally. 

Chaplain Roper agreed with Chaplain West that the American Seamen's 
Friend Society should have absolute control- of the stations of the Pacific 
coast and elsewhere if possible. 

The opinion was expressed that more visits from the Secretary or from 
any of the Directors of the Society would have a good effect in drawing 
the auxiliaries closer to the parent Society. 

Rev. Mr. Matthews referred to the great need there was of earnest co- 
operation between the parent and auxiliary societies. 

The question of a uniform flag and literature was brought up and fully 
discussed, most of the chaplains taking part. Unanimously agreed that 
the whole question be referred to a special committee. This committee 
consists of Chaplains Nutchey, Tuttle, Stuckenbrok, and Sarner. 

Tuesday, October 6, 1908.— Immediately after devotional exercises, 
conducted by Rev. T. Johnstone Irving, (Naples), the meeting went into 
Conference. Capt. C. B. Parsons, Chairman of the Institute Building 
Committee, occupied the chair and introduced the subject, viz. : Buildings 
for Work Among Seamen. 

Mr. C. A. Green, Superintendent of the Institute, spoke on the value 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 85 

of a building specially adapted for seamen, as did also Mr. W. A. Boring, 
architect of the Institute. 

BUILDINGS FOR WORK A'MONG SEAMEN 

''The natural medium for an architect to use in expressing ideas is 
construction of bricks and mortar and I prefer to so speak to you, but 
Mr. Hunter has asked me to say something more, and I will take the 
opportunity to plead for the cause of good architecture as a moral 
influence. 

"Pleasant and wholesome surroundings we all know have a good effect 
upon all normal men and it is the first idea in charity work to properly 
house the particular class to be benefited and the best results are realized 
when the buildings are studied carefully for the moral effect upon the 
beneficiaries as well as for their physical needs. I do not mean to suggest 
that the moral effect of physical well-being is a thing to be considered 
separately. All improvements in environment tend to advancement. I wish 
to emphasize the importance of careful study of buildings with a- view 
of making them the greatest moral, spiritual and refined influence possible. 

"The architecture of a nation is a true reflection of the ideals of its 
people in each period of history. We see the refinement of Greek thought 
in the Pantheon, the grandeur of Rome in the ruins of the Coliseum, and 
the zeal of the Christian era in the noble Cathedrals left us as a record 
of genius and devotion. The buildings of our charitable institutions 
should as clearly express their purpose and ideal. Men are impressed by 
the exterior appearance of a building, but in a manner partaking of the 
objective. They are interested and often attracted; if, however, they walk 
in, their attitude is immediately changed to the subjective so to speak, 
and the impression is much more vivid and lasting whether agreeable or 
the contrary. If the building is ugly, there is an involuntary feeling of 
depression upon entering which makes a lasting impression, but there is a 
pleasing sense of well-being when the interior is beautiful, and that sensa- 
tion recalled gives a desire to return. 

"Different sensations are aroused by buildings of various characters, 
and a proper expression of the purpose and style will surely bring true 
responsive appreciation. 

'"To express mirth, we make the architecture joyous like an opera house; 
if dignity is the requisite quality, a sober structure like *a law court; 
while for a church we strive for a feeling of mystery and devotion, and 
these things are appreciated internally. 

"The American Seamen's Friend Society desires in its building to attract 



86 Ax Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

the sailors ; it must also imbue them with self-respect by a dignity not 
too severe and inspire a certain reverence in order to lead them to that 
proper conduct of life for which the Society constantly and devotedly 
labors. There must be a fine balance and proportion, and the several ideas 
entering into this composite expression of the building in order to attract, 
to hold, and to inculcate the ideals for which the Society stands. Such a 
building should be modern in style with all the improvements that suggest 
what is described as up-to-date ideas. There should be light everywhere. 
Light is the best monitor and housekeeper, the best preserver of health 
and spirits. There should be no dark corners to invite the accumulation of 
dirt. The corners and angles should be rounded to make cleanliness an 
easy task. The building should be kept clean easily and without too 
much effort or disturbance of the occupants to whom it should appear 
that the building is not cleaned but naturally stays clean. Men hesitate to 
defile a clean building. 

"While it respects cleanliness, I am sorry to admit that the human 
animal in the mass would rather be warm than clean, so the building 
should express to the sailors, first, comfort, and second, cleanliness. It 
must be clean to be entirely comfortable, but it can be very clean and at 
the same time very uncomfortable. 

''The plan should have a handsome and generous entrance leading to 
spacious entertainment rooms under the direct vision and control of the 
clerk in charge. Within easy reach should be the chapel. Ample toilet 
facilities should be provided and as many devices for washing as can be 
arranged without expressing too forcibly the invitation to keep clean. 
Since the dormitories are the most remunerative part of such an institution, 
and it is easier to benefit men by housing them, this part should be as 
large as space will permit, and should be under easy control. 

"Such a building should be built of enduring materials and solid con- 
struction. It should be capable of enlargement since charitable buildings 
always need to be enlarged. Every part should be under control of the 
management. 

"Hard, non-absorbent materials should be employed wherever the person 
comes in contact with floors, walls and moving parts. Such construction 
also discourages the small non-paying guests which often come unmasked. 
At the Immigrant Station, Ellis Island, I noticed on a wall a large speci- 
men of the 'imported kind' crawling about, first this way and that. I 
pointed it out to the Commissioner who said, 'You must expect them to 
be crawling in plain sight for you have left no other place for them to go. 
They soon take the ferry for New York.' 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 87 

"The plan of this building has been the subject of much study. It was 
a difficult task for the Secretary, Mr. Hunter, to define the requirements 
as he had little data upon which to base his calculations. I think he has, 
however defined the needs correctly and has set a high standard for other 
ports of the world to adopt." 

Mr. J. R. C. Bell (Montreal) said a building should be erected in such a 
position as would be easy of access, not only for sailors but, if possible, 
for citizens as well, since we look to them to help in the work. 

Tuesday Evening, October 6. — The subjects set for discussion were: 
(a). How to promote important and useful legislation for seamen; 
(b). The ideal Institute, was only taken up in part. 
The session was presided over by Mr. Fritz v. Briesen, a member of the 
Board, and, in accordance with the feeling of the meeting, took up the 
latter part of the subject, viz., "The Ideal Institute." Chaplain Roper 
read an interesting and able paper on, 

THE IDEAL INSTITUTE, OR THE SPIRIT OF THE INSTITUTE 

"Missions for the benefit of seafaring men like all other human institu- 
tions, have since their beginnings undegone many changes. Great changes 
have taken place in the manner in which the sailor pursues his chosen 
calling. The old regime has passed away and all things pertaining to the 
sea have become new. 

"This is true not only of the sailor's environment, his work, his home. 
"his life at sea; it is true also of his environment while on shore. It would 
he impossible for the sailor, coming into contact with modern life and 
thought, not to feel and be affected by its influence. 

"Time is too brief to permit my dwelling upon the changes which busi- 
ness men, manufacturers, farmers, builders, engineers, railroads, printers, 
publishers, educators, churches and a host of others, have made in their 
methods, or to refer to the marvels which invention and discovery have 
wrought during the past fifty years ; nor is this paper intended for any 
such purpose. I mention it only to suggest that the sailor is not the 
simple, docile creature he was when missions were first founded for his 
benefit. He has been using his eyes and ears. The printing press has 
contributed largely to this change, so also has his contact with landspeople. 
"Voyages are shorter and he spends more time on shore. His ears are 
alert to catch. He is quick to notice and receive impressions. 

"I have been asked to write a paper on ''The Ideal Institute." Now this 
would be easier did I also have the privilege of having ideal sailors to put 



88 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

into it. So, please remember that my ideal Institute is not supposed to 
exist in the millennium but now, here in New York or in any other big 
port, to care for present-day sailors as we find them. • So I will treat this 
ideal as a practical ideal, an Institute conducted in such a manner as to 
accomplish the most possible good. 

"Such an Institute must in the first place reach the sailors, and, second, 
it must give them the greatest possible benefit. When missions were first 
founded they were conducted practically as churches, with religious 
services only, generally preaching. In this way they were carried on for 
many years, much good being accomplished. Father Taylor's Bethel in 
Boston was probably the most widely known of such seamen's churches, 
Father Taylor doubtless being the greatest sailor preacher who ever labored 
among seamen, great numbers of conversions resulting from his eloquent 
and fervent pleadings with men to forsake their sins and accept his Saviour. 
During Father Taylor's ministry, and for many years following, many 
other faithful and efficient preachers and missionaries labored along 
similar lines, exhorting sailors to flee from the wrath to come. 

"None of the early missions attempted anything but strictly religious 
work except perhaps keeping open a small reading room, which was 
supplied almost entirely with religious reading matter. The only attempt 
made for many years in the way of offering the sailors amusement or 
recreation was in the form of a concert somewhat along the line of the 
Sunday School concert, except perhaps the men were given some freedom 
in offering applause. 

"Probably the reason that no games or other amusements were given 
the sailors lay in the fact that all such things were universally conceded 
by all 'good' people to belong to the devil. 

"Lately the attitude of many of the churches towards harmless amuse- 
ments has changed very perceptibly. So that it is possible for an up-to- 
date sailor worker to receive the sanction and support of the liberal 
minded Christian public in fighting the devil with what used to be regarded 
as his own weapons. 

"The more conservative feel a bit timid about giving the sailor a little 
amusement and excuse themselves with the explanation that such a course 
interests the sailor in the Institute, and that if the sailor gets interested 
in the social life of the mission it will give better opportunity for seeking 
his soul's salvation. This is all true; but it is not a valid and all-sufficient 
reason for it. The sailor should have the social life for what it means 
to him of itself. He needs it. 

"I am quite willing to admit that the ideal work for the Christian 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 89 

chaplain is preaching, continuous religious work for the sailor ; but before 
he can preach to men, he must get the men and gain their good will. 
Besides, who is to judge where so-called religious work ends and so-called 
secular work begins? All work done in the special Institute over which 
I preside is done with the same end in view, to elevate, refine and make 
good men of the sailors who enter therein. We know no secular, all our 
work is religious. 

"On every corner in the locality where our Institute in Portland, 
Oregon, is situated, there is a saloon, each with a billiard room attached. 
Sailors don't go into a saloon so much to drink as for sociability. We 
don't care to put drink into the Institute to keep the sailor away from 
the billiard tables, but we put billiard tables and other attractions into the 
Institute to keep him away from the drink, and we find that it helps 
greatly. 

"But no amount of equipment is sufficient to make an Institute ideal. 
A building is necessary, large enough to accommodate all the sailors com- 
ing to the Port. The building needs sufficient furnishings ; but neither 
building nor furniture can make the ideal Institute. The spirit of the In- 
stitute is what makes it ideal ; the one place in the port where the sailor 
has absolute freedom and feels perfectly at home, because it is conducted 
in such a manner as to make that possible. 

"The old-fashioned workers exhorted men to forsake their sins, to sign 
the pledge, etc., and then when the meeting was over, turned them out 
to sink or swim amid the saloons and dens of vice whose wide open maws 
were waiting to swallow them as they made their way from the prayer 
meeting. . 

"The up-to-date worker makes every sailor feel that he is one of the 
family of which the Institute is the home. Instead of giving the sailor an 
exhortation and a pledge only to aid him, the ideal worker stands with 
him as his brother and friend to help him fight his battles. 

"The ideal Institute must contain all the elements of the home. No 
home can be complete without the atmosphere which woman alone can 
give to it. The spirit of the Institute is perfected only by the atmosphere 
which woman's presence imparts. Sailors more than other men are in- 
fluenced by such surroundings. Let a woman sit down and play a simple 
game with a sailor, treating him for the time being as a social equal and 
ever after he is a better man, finer, tenderer, truer. Many a young man 
starts to sea leaving his boyhood home, where he has enjoyed the privi- 
lege of mingling with the best people in the little community. What 
does he find when he arrives in a foreign port? He hasn't the opportunity 



90 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

of speaking to a woman unless it is one that will degrade him. Is it any 
wonder he goes wrong? 

"I have the testimony of hundreds of young men who have been kept 
clean and pure and straight by the spirit of the Institute during the past 
two years. When T conduct a concert, play a social game with a sailor 
or preach to a congregation of them, I always put myself in the sailor's 
place. I ask myself how it all would appear to me were I" in his place. 
I make myself one of them, and compel them to feel that I am. I never 
insult a decent young man by approaching him with the intimation that 
he is a reprobate. I try to lead men to crave a purer life by creating a 
desire in them to possess the same spirit which they feel surrounding them. 
Once a young man comes to the Institute which has this spirit, he remains, 
if he has any foundation in him at all. 

"The idea held by many people that sailors are a drunken lot at best, 
is altogether untrue. There are many sailors who do not drink at all 
and numbers of others who do so only because they feel so friendless and 
separate from good people. I have taken special pains during the past year 
to keep track of the men while in port. Nearly all of them spent their 
leisure time in the Institute and for a whole year not a half dozen men 
came into the Institute under the influence of liquor. For five months we 
averaged two hundred sailors at concerts twice a week, and not once did 
a sailor cause any disturbance. 

"In the ideal Institute great discretion will be observed in approaching a 
man concerning his soul's welfare. The chief engineer of a large British 
tramp steamer, a Scotch Presbyterian, told me that some time ago he was 
shipwrecked and with the rest of the ship's crew lost everything but his 
life. Appearing at the Seamen's Institute in a half-clad and almost 
famished condition, the first question he was asked by the unwise if 
zealous chaplain was : 'Are you saved ?' The man was a Christian, and 
still he was so disgusted with the chaplain's lack of tact that he went out 
never to enter the Institute again. The tactful chaplain in the ideal In- 
stitute will win rather than repel in approaching such a vital and sacred 
subject. The sailor hates cant and he always recognizes it and despises the 
man who uses it. 

"Then again the ideal Institute home atmosphere will be so real and 
natural that the sailor will never feel that he is being patronized. Neither 
will he suspect that he is regarded as an object of charity. 

"The chaplain in the ideal Institute lives with the men; they live with 
him, they are companions, chums. If the men respect him, and they do, 
they seek to be worthy of his confidence. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 91 

"Were there a few such Institutes around the world, sailors would soon 
possess a different opinion of missions from what they hold in general and 
the spirit of such Institutes would soon be seen in .the character of sailors. 

"In Portland we have aimed at the ideal. We have probably come far 
short of reaching even this crude generalization, but we believe that we 
have the spirit and have proved at least that the ideal is possible. Many 
of the letters received from men who have spent some time with us con- 
clusively prove that they have understood the spirit and imbibed it. The 
large numbers attending the religious services and testifying to benefits 
received therefrom is evidence that they know no line of demarkation be- 
tween the social and religious. Men about to sail, after spending some 
weeks with us in the atmosphere which surrounds us in our work, have 
said to me: 'My life can never be the same again, my eyes have been 
opened to real living.' 

"What is needed is an Institute in the next port of call where they can 
enjoy the same spirit they have learned to understand and prize. 

"May God grant us wisdom so that every auxiliary we may form may 
become an ideal Institute possessing this indefinable spirit. 

"One of the chief requirements of the ideal Institute is absolute 
cleanliness. There is an old saying that 'cleanliness is next to godliness,' 
but in Seamen's Institute work, get everything neat and clean, and 
then you may hope for a little godliness. Give sailors the impression that 
any old thing is good enough for them, and they will act as though any 
old behavior was good enough for the Institute. The ideal Institute is 
entirely non-sectarian, it is not a church, it is a seamen's club. They are 
fellow-members with the chaplain. Get the atmosphere of a gentlemen's 
club into it, and the sailors will behave in it as gentlemen should. 

"The power to conduct an Institute in an ideal way is like most other 
powers, it cannot be given over, you cannot get it from another, you must 
go to them that sell and buy for yourself. Neither can you teach another 
how to do it. The power, like that of being a good steersman, is born in 
one. You cannot stand by a man's side and instruct him how to steer 
a yacht. He must be able to feel the touch. He must steer her with his 
spirit. So must the ideal Institute be run — by spirit." 

Animated discussion took place after the reading of the paper, in which 
nearly all the delegates took part. The question was discussed from many 
view points. 

Some good thoughts and ideas were given by the delegates. 

"Don't be discouraged if you have not a great building, God does some 
*of His best work in small work-shops." 



92 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

"The chaplain should have a thorough knowledge of God's Word, and 

know how to use that knowledge." 

"The personnel of the Institute equipment is always more than the? 

material." 
"An ideal Institute should remind a man of home and loved ones." 
"Let the spirit of the Institute be the Spirit of the Master" 
"Every man is precious to some one ; at least he is to God." 
"If the image is marred, it can be re-made." 

Wednesday, October 7, 1908 — The devotional exercises of this morn- 
ing were conducted by Rev. Samuel Boult of the New York Port Society. 

At the Conference which followed, presided over by Mr. Theophilus A. 
Brouwer, the honored President of the old Port Society of New York, a 
paper was read on "Reading Rooms and Literature for Seamen" by Mr. 
James Sherrard, of New Orleans. 

READING ROOMS AND LITERATURE FOR SEAMEN 

"As the reading room is the most frequented room on the premises it 
ought to be kept clean and attractive. It ought to be stocked with the 
leading newspapers and magazines of the day, and papers in many 
languages found on the files. It ought to be for seamen only and not 
for tramps and beach combers. Some one should be present to welcome 
the seaman on his first arrival, to find out his nationality and direct him 
where he can find a paper in his mother tongue, without his having to 
wander around, and probably not find the paper he is looking for. 

HOW TO PROCURE SUPPLIES 

"Most publishers are willing to supply a free copy of their papers if 
they are properly solicited to do so, others, especially foreign publications, 
require the postage to be paid. Newspapers in nearly every foreign 
language are published in the United States, and a directory giving full 
particulars about them can be found in nearly every newspaper office. 

"A notice in the local papers, stating that magazines and other desirable 
reading matter for free distribution among seamen is desired, will bring 
many responses, people as a rule are glad to donate literature that they 
have read and have no further use for, provided we are willing to send 
for it. 

"Tract societies, and men who make a specialty of publishing and 
distributing tracts, are always willing to donate large quantities of such 
literature for free distribution. Great care should be taken in putting up 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 



93 



bundles of papers and magazines that nothing objectionable or demora- 
lizing is allowed to find a place in the package, and a few tracts distributed 
in the secular magazines may prove a means of grace to the sailor. 

"Literature will be more appreciated if you require them to call for it 
than if you send it to the ships, unless when the ships are anchored out 
from the wharf and they cannot conveniently come ashore for it.'' 

Mr. William Elling, of the Loan Library Department of the American 
Seamen's Friend Society, then gave the following talk on 

LITERATURE FOR SEAMEN 

"The question of literature for seamen is of vital importance to the 
sailor and to us as Christian workers. We all realize that books are a 
prime factor in moulding the character of their readers, therefore it is our 
religious duty to place in the hands of the sailor such books as will 
instruct his mind, cheer his lonely hours at sea, comfort him in sorrow, 
uplift his morals and save his soul. 

"Sailors as a rule are fond of reading, but it is a mistake to think be- 
cause these men are shut in and shut out of the world, and lack resources 



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READING ROOM, NEW SEAMEN'S INSTITUTE, NEW YORK 



94 An Etghty Years' Record of the Work 

of information, they will read anything and everything. However, they 
will read books of adventure, biography and chivalry. The desire for 
reading and the taste for a particular kind is there,, and it is our privilege 
to cultivate the desire and create a taste for good literature. 

adventure 

"A sailor will often go without sleep in order to follow the adventures 
of his favorite hero. These books ought to be full of action, something- 
doing in every chapter, and fully illustrated, and should be selected not 
only with a view to their interest as narratives, but still more to their 
value as books of instruction. 

BIOGRAPHY 

"Books of biography are an inspiration to their readers. We should 
take advantage of the sailor's taste for this class of books by giving them 
the story of the life of some of our statesmen and ministers, all of which 
are grand ideals and worthy to follow, and the sailor's life will be made 
much brighter and better by trying to reach up to their standard of living. 

CHIVALRY 

"Books of this kind appeal strongly to the sailor. His sympathy is 
with the under dog and he admires the man who champions the cause of 
the weak. Any story in which the hero undertakes the combat, whether 
in the cause of love or in the way of Christian duty, or in the pursuit of 
a worthy end, has a peculiar fascination for sailors, and many have been 
drawn towards Christianity by this view of it, as being the true theory for 
a life of steady endurance and noble doing. 

poetry 

"Poetry appeals to that which is best, purest and highest in humanity, 
it is essential that we give to the sailor a book of poems which treat of 
country or home life; they should be of the simple or story kind. Under 
this head should be included copies of the Gospel Hymns, as the men in 
their watch below gather in the forecastle and sing these hymns from be- 
ginning to end regardless of tune, we should embrace this as an oppor- 
tunity to give them the Gospel in song. 

recreation and amusement 
"Books of fiction, romance, humor, detective and love stories have a 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 95 

great attraction for the sailor. Of course, there is a wide range of choice 
in these books and great caution must of course be used in the selection ; 
we should choose them deliberately and with keen discrimination, seek- 
ing only those that give promise of proving useful, refining and uplifting. 
'"One of the sailors' amusements is the spinning of yarns and cracking 
jokes. These are often of a double meaning, coarse, vulgar, and obscene. 
In our efforts to help him live a better life we will find few books of more 
practical value than a book of humor, filled with bright short stories and 
clean jokes, which will stand repeating, thus robbing Satan of one of his 
strongest weapons which he uses in the destruction of the soul of the 
sailor. 

EDUCATIONAL 

"History, geography, navigation, steam engineering, electricity, and 
books of reference come under this head ; these should be clear in style, 
not at all technical, easily understood by the layman. Sailors are daily 
in contact with navigation, the phenomena of steam engineering and 
electricity, and it is no little thing to open to them a new world of thought 
and to help them to raise themselves in their position on board ships. 

MORAL AND UPLIFTING 

"The prevailing sins among sailors are intemperance and immorality. 
It is a common belief among them that in order to be healthy they must 
live lives of impurity. We owe it to these men to combat these evils by 
placing in their hands such books as will teach them that these sins are 
not only against God, but against their own bodies, and that if they would 
be strong, healthy, manly men, they must live clean, pure lives. 

RELIGIOUS AND DEVOTIONAL 

"The greatest attention, of course, must be given -to the selection of 
this class. They should be strong, true to life, wholesome, presenting 
sound ideals of life and high standards of character, thoroughly evangel- 
ical in their teachings. Such a list should include books on meditation and 
prayer, books to awaken the sinner, call the unconverted to repentance 
and to incite the reading of the Holy Scripture, for there is no book that 
tells so sweetly the story of Him, 'whom to know aright is life eternal.' 
For while it is much to instruct, comfort and cheer, our chief aim should 
be to bring sailors in close touch with God their Maker, and Jesus Christ 
their Saviour." 

Many of the delegates took part in the discussion which followed. The 



96 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

great need of carefulness in the selection of reading matter was em- 
phasized. Some experiences were given of men being brought to Christ 
through reading the books placed in the loan libraries. The chairman 
said he knew a number of men who were helped and blessed by reading 
the books, and that eternity alone would reveal the good done to seamen 
by placing the right kind of books on board vessels for sailors to read 
while at sea. 

Mr. Wollesen, of Copenhagen, told of a sailor who came to him and 
said, "Some time ago I took a book (Pilgrim's Progress) out of the 
library and kept it. I would not part with it now for a great deal. It 
was the means of my conversion. Here is five dollars, send it to the 
American Seamen's Friend Society to pay for the book." "So you see, 
brethren, even if a sailor takes a book and keeps it, God can use it to 
His glory." 

Capt. William Dollar said that from personal experience he could testify 
as to the usefulness of the books. In his early Christian life the books 
were a great comfort and joy to him, and were the means of bringing 
him in close touch with God. 

Thursday, 10 a. m. — After the opening exercises Rev. W. Thun, of the 
German Lutheran Seamen's Society, with headquarters in Berlin, read 
the following paper : 

SHIPPING OF SEAMEN 

"The question of shipping is no doubt one of the most important in a 
sailor's life, for it reacts upon the whole moral attitude of the man. 

"A bad system is like a premium on a bad life. Not the man with a 
bank-book, but the light-minded man, who wastes his hard earned wages, 
is the friend of the shipping-master of the old time (still, however, to be 
found) ; money and not ability decides whether he gets a chance. No 
wonder that he becomes soured and reckless with respect to everything. 
The habit of loitering about the saloons incapacitates him for seeking 
respectable company or for hearing the Word of God. Self-esteem and 
reliability must decrease. And after all it is the most expensive system 
for shipowners and men. 

"But what is a bad, what is a good, what is the best system? The 
question cannot be decided once for all. What may be a good system in 
one port, may fail totally in another. A system of legislation which may 
work in a German port, may be a failure in an American port. In deciding 
the question we have to take into consideration all the circumstances, the 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 

number of men shipped during a year and the number of deserters; 
whether most of the ships coming to the port are sailing vessels or 
steamers; whether the tonnage is small or large ;. whether the men are 
usually paid-off there and how many hours on an average the vessels are 
in port, and last but not least whether the authorities are willing and able 
to fight the crime and the crimps. 

'"In a conference of seamen's missionaries I do not need to say much 
about the old, the worst system. We all agree in rejecting the land-sharks, 
the crimps and their accomplices. We all have had our experiences; we 
have seen many a mother's boy go to the dogs or at least in danger of 
being lost, lured on by the tempter to desert his vessel or kept in the 
boarding house until the last penny and his advance note too went into the 
pockets of these men, and then without sufficient clothing to stand the 
weather, sold to a vessel which only in this manner could get a crew. And 
we all know that in spite of all legislation and protection the seamen 
have to-day, the power of the crimps is not entirely broken, indeed in a 
number of ports they are as strong as ever. 

"What has been done and what is to be done to secure a prompt service 
to the ships in search of men, even when 'there are only a few hours' 
time, and at the same time to release the sailors from paying blood-money 
before getting a chance? 

"The simplest way seems to be to forbid all shipping through private 
shipping-masters. As far as I know, this is the system in Great Britain. 
All shipping on vessels under the Union Jack has to be done before the 
Board of Trade. But, besides the Board of Trade and in spite of the law 
there are in British ports private shipping-masters. And they are indispens- 
able to the vessels with a short time for loading (in some instances only a 
few night hours), to the foreign vessels and in all quick cases. If the 
office of the Board of Trade is closed, the ship cannot be expected to lay 
over for one man. There must be somebody who knows where to get 
him and gets him and looks after him until he is aboard. A government 
office may work in small ports under normal conditions and when the 
supply exceeds the demand, but it will fail in all cases of emergency. An 
official will keep his hours and act according to his regulations, but he 
will very seldom do more than his mere duty. And if the law forbids 
private shipping at all, the crimps have the field and trade under the 
mask of boarding-masters and saloon-keepers and barber or clothing - 
shops, and the nuisance grows secretly. 

"But I do not see why the trade of shipping-master should be ob- 
jectionable in itself? I know men in that business thoroughly respectable. 



98 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

I know one as a regular visitor of our mission meetings, and another 
one asked us to hold prayer-meetings in his house, at that time also a 
sailors' boarding house. To make an honest living by shipping men is 
usually very hard; and if the private shipping-masters are taking graft — 
I do not know whether officials are always above it — and becoming rough 
and rude — let us be just — the fault is quite as much with the seamen and 
their carelessness. 

"Permit me to direct your attention to some things that have been 
done in Germany to remedy the difficulty. It is not the aim of the German 
shipping law to do away entirely with private shipping-masters, but rather 
to avoid the grievances connected with them, to elevate and purify the trade 
by eliminating the unworthy elements and to protect sailors against 
sharps. The professional shipping-master in Germany has to take out a 
license. He cannot get it if he has a boarding house, saloon, clothing- 
shop, money exchange, etc., or stands in any connection with such trades. 
He has to keep a register and he and his books are controlled by the 
authorities. The fees for shipping the men are fixed — for an A. B. sailor, 
3 M., about 75 cents — to be paid half by the shipowner, half by the man. 

"The law has been carried through strictly, but it was not the only 
step taken to protect the sailors. In spite of the law it seemed to be im- 
possible to do away with the crimping in ports where the shipping busi- 
ness is a monopoly of private shipping-masters. Therefore the Hamburg- 
American line took up the battle against the shipping-masters, at that time 
(1888) apparently invincible, and a few years later the seamen's mission 
in Hamburg also started a shipping bureau, now taken over by the United 
Shipowners of Hamburg. And they succeeded in breaking the monopoly 
and bringing about fairly sound conditions. Thirty-five thousand to 
forty thousand men are shipped annually through these offices ; and the 
North German Lloyd bureau in Bremerhafen ships about 15,000 men 
annually. That means two-thirds to three-fourths of the whole number 
of men shipped in these ports. 

"In a number of German and foreign ports the Seamen's Mission of the 
German Evangelical Church — only one of the two German societies is 
working in one port — was compelled by circumstances to take the initia- 
tive, and most of the shipping in Geestemunde and Cuxhafen, two of the 
chief ports for trawlers, also in Danzig, Memel, Konigsberg, Stettin, 
Liibeck, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Marseilles, Buenos Ayres, is done by the 
bureau organized and controlled by the shipowners and the authorities in 
close connection with our seamen's mission. 

"No doubt, the improvement in comparison with the old times is very 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 99 

considerable. In some cases the crew changed five times less than before, 
where private shipping-masters hunted the men from vessel to vessel, to 
get their bonuses. And in places with such an office a reaction upon the 
behavior and the tricks of the shipping-masters was very soon to be 
seen. The honest business men became strengthened, but the crimps were 
held down by the law, strictly carried through, and the competition of 
the impartial shipping bureau ; and that is all that can be expected. 

"As far as I can see, the greatest difficulties arise in American ports. 
According to the United States laws the shipping of men through private 
shipping-masters is allowed, but it is forbidden 'to demand or receive 
either directly or indirectly from any seaman or other person seeking em- 
ployment as seamen, or from any person on his behalf, any remuneration 
for providing him with employment.' 

"If it were possible to enforce the law, in connection with the act pro- 
hibiting shanghaing, it would protect the men sufficiently. But apparently 
some back doors remained open. According to the reports of the seamen's 
mission societies there must be still some crimping as well in the port of 
New York as on the west coast. I suppose some of the brethren can give 
us better information how it stands to-day than I could. 

"A monopoly of shipping-agents is moreover very expensive to the ship- 
owners. Some companies pay under normal conditions $2 in New York, 
but a few months ago they have been charged in Baltimore $10, and in 
Philadelphia $8, for the men. To lessen the grievances and to fight the 
crimps in the port of New York the Seamen's Church Institute and the 
Seamen's Christian Association a few years ago started free shipping 
bureaus — the only- two I know of. They shipped in 1907, 6,262 men, that 
means ten per cent, of the men shipped and reshipped before the United 
States Shipping Commissioner during the year. British and foreign vessels 
not included. That is a beginning in the right direction. Free shipping 
bureaus as a counterpoise are a necessity in New York ; only, as I take 
it, an actual redress is not to be expected until most of the companies, 
without regard to nationality, stand closely together, eliminating the private 
shipping-agents. This will also lessen the number of deserters. 

"And finally, the crimps need accomplices and they find them, especially 
in boarding-house keepers. Take the seamen out of the low boarding house 
and you deal a death blow to the crimps. And I am sure that in this 
direction the opening of this fine Sailors' Home will also help a good deal 
to solve the problem of shipping the men. 

"The running of. a shipping office should be the business of ship- 
owners; they have the advantage; only should they not see their way, 



100 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

or hesitate, and the conditions in the port otherwise remain bad, it may 
be the duty of the seamen's mission to go on. But before starting, we 
have to consider the whole conditions very carefully, whether the ship- 
owners and the men are willing to co-operate, whether we have a sufficient 
number of seamen on hand to meet even quick cases and whether we have 
the right men to do the work. As long as possible keep your hands off, 
for it is not our proper sphere of work. There is always a risk that 
shipping of men may become the principal work of the mission and the 
missionary a shipping-agent, and the care of the individual's needs of body 
and of soul will be crowded into the background." 

Friday, October 9, 1908. — Morning Session. — "How to Promote Im- 
portant and Useful Legislation for Seamen," a subject down for a previous 
conference, was brought up this morning and introduced by Mr. James 
Sherrard (New Orleans). Reference was made to the great hardship of 
seamen who had paid money into or had been taxed for the Marine Hos- 
pital and who now, because unable to quite prove they had spent the 
necessary time at sea, or had not applied for relief in time, found it hard 
indeed to get along without some aid. Other questions, such as the burial 
of seamen dying on board ship while the vessel is in. port, were brought up. 

On all these kindred minor questions it was the feeling of the Con- 
ference that nothing could be got by approaching members of Congress 
as was suggested. The true solution for these local difficulties would be 
to take each case and. deal as best as possible. For instance, a bona fide 
sailor applicant from almost any port of the country might be admitted 
into the Sailors' Snug Harbor through the co-operation of the local chap- 
lain and the Secretary of the American Seamen's Friend Society. 

It was pointed out that seamen dying in the Marine Hospital were buried 
by the hospital authorities, and that members of the Union who died were 
buried by the Union. Also, that most of the shipping companies were quite 
willing to defray the cost of the burial of their sailors. 

The meeting went into Conference on the question of a Badge, also a 
Flag, for the Seamen's Christian Brotherhood. 

Friday Afternoon. — The Conference of this afternoon will be long 
remembered as one of the most outstanding of the whole session. After 
the singing of a hymn and prayer, some important details regarding the 
question of "Adoption of a Flag and Badge," were settled. 

The Secretary of the Society, Rev. George M.cPherson Hunter, read a 
paper on "The Ultimate Aim of Work for Seamen," which was listened 
lo with the keenest attention. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 101 

the aim in work for seamen 

"The first thing to be considered in a sublime enterprise such as ours, is 
the goal. What is the objective point we are striving to reach? 

"We should clearly know what we are trying to do when we minister 
to the men of the waters. If we keep a reading room, board sailors, give 
out literature, conduct a concert, help in the work in an Institute, or 
engage in the sublime work of preaching the eternal Gospel of God's love, 
we should know intelligently and define, to our own satisfaction at least, 
what we are striving to do. For the thing we are aiming at will determine 
our characters, and our characters and our work are like the soul and the 
body, inseparably united. Sometimes men fail because their plans are 
too small, and they are accomplished, or they are too big and they break 
down under their self-imposed task. There is a subtle difference between 
a man's plans and his aim. A man's aims are begotten of the Spirit of 
God, and his plans by the very nature of things belong to the man himself. 
Plans are of the earth, but aims are of heaven, and it is better to aim high 
and miss, than to aim low and hit. Will you allow me to give you my 
definition of our aim? 

"The aim of a seamen's chaplain's work should be to bring 
the seamen of all nationalities into fellowship with God and 
to train them to witness for Jesus Christ, their Lord and 
Master, to their own shipmates first, and then to the nations 
they visit. 

"Now that seems like a commonplace thing, and so it is, but what 
distinguishes men is their common life and work brought into the great 
sweep of God's plan, dignified and elevated by the Divine touch. All of 
us have seen commonplace women softened, mellowed and filled with 
wondrous charm under the spell of motherhood, and it is not an uncom- 
mon thing for you to see men of sordid character, coarse fibre, dull mind, 
foul of mouth and life, made singularly new, dignified and elevated into 
newness of life in God. We can only look on these men and say, 'Thy 
gentleness has made them great' 

"A great literary critic whose commendation of a book is considered, 
in his own country, better than royal mention, is always commending 
writers who write with distinction. Brethren, it is our great privilege to 
help men to live with distinction. A seaman, if he is a Christian, begins 
to live a distinguished life from the day of his spiritual birth. 

"The aim of our work, as I have defined, has a universal ring about it. 
Any competent New Testament student could quote the chapter and verses 



102 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

from which it sprung. It is composed of two parts, and 'What God hath 
joined together let no man put asunder.' 

"I. The first is the immediate duty. 

"II. The far off vision. 

'"The immediate duty that lies before every chaplain on the water front 
is to get the Gospel to the ears of every sailor in port. The crimp, 
boarding-house keeper, and saloon keeper, that malign trinity, wait for 
him whenever he lands. The saloon keeper has studied and calculated to 
four points in decimals the needs of the seamen. For every attraction 
you spread he spreads five. The men crave rest and change after the 
end of the voyage. They positively crave for light, for music, for a 
change of food, for some brightness in their life. You must provide that 
brightness. The dim, religious light has not been "a conspicuous success 
with landsmen and- we have no reason to expect it to succeed with sailors. 
It is needless for me to enter into any detailed description of the water 
front of the great seaports of the world. The yawning saloons and name- 
less temptations that confront a man are everyday things in your life, 
but I would like to remind you that, bad as Rotterdam, Buenos Aires, 
Antwerp, or any of the other seaports are, yet they are a hundred per cent 
better than the cities Paul ministered unto and preached in with an un- 
quenchable faith, believing that some day his Gospel would triumph. 

"In view of these things, it should be the immediate aim of the chaplain 
to get the men away from the evil influences into his Institute or Bethel. 
On this very issue good men differ as to ways and means. Well, let them 
differ. We will always have diversity of opinion on our various methods 
of work and there is room for diversity of opinion. I have had some 
experience with men doing work for seamen ; I have seen all the ports of 
the world ; studied the work in America, Asia and Europe, and from that 
vantage point will you let me say, and I say it with due respect and 
humility, that there are only two classes of men in seamen's work. I do 
not mean the ordained and unordained, educated and uneducated, suave, 
bland and abrupt — but the tall man and the short man. The short man 
takes a short view of things. He only looks into the eyes of the men on 
his level. The tall man sees over the heads of the crowds and the light 
from another world beams in his eyes. The man who only sees the im- 
mediate duty — he calls himself a practical man. The practical men, as 
they call themselves, are often very impractical. He has no time for 
dreams, as he calls them. His duties master him instead of him mastering 
his duties. He thinks it is all vapory sentiment to talk of ships being agents 
of God and sailors witnesses of the truth to the ends of the earth. Who 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 103 

is so concerned to get the men into his place. But what is he going to do 
with them when he has them? 

;, Once having got the man into his place, under his influence, within 
sound of his Gospel, it is his duty to get the whole man surrendered to 
God. So many chaplains have preached as if a man were pure spirit, 
just as too many physicians have worked as if a man consisted of flesh, 
bones and blood. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a whole Gospel for a whole 
man. Now I am not going into a fruitless discussion about what is social 
and what is religious or expound what is called the social Gospel. My 
views on that subject are all wrought out here in bricks and mortar. 
Ordinarily a man will do the work he is best adapted to. If you do not 
believe in social work, billiards and baths, teas and concerts, then do 
not try to be a social provider and preacher, and if you do social work and 
believe in it, do not let it be an excuse for neglecting the greater work. 

"There are grave dangers in doing social work on a large scale. A 
man may give his time and strength to getting up entertainments that 
have no reflex action on religious work. The dangers are obvious, numer- 
ous and commanding. No sensible man should ignore or underestimate 
them, nor should he be afraid of them. It is hard, very hard, to do the 
best thing, and, in my judgment, social work should be done if possible. 
Social work on an extensive scale is safe only in the hands of a man 
who has the larger view of his work, who is dominated by a mastering 
passion for the souls of men. who sees the day to be when from sea to 
sea every nation shall serve our King. 

"The far off vision. 

"The thing we shall never see. 

' 'These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having 
seen them afar off and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and 
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.' 

"Was the eulogy pronounced on the patriarchs prophetic of our work? 
A seamen's chaplain's chapter especially written for them, workers with 
faith. 

"Other men enter into your labors. We need a far off vision to lend us 
faith. It is things we know we can never accomplish that drive us to 
faith. 

" 'And life which is not vivified by faith and emotion is scarcely life at 
all.' The constant tragedy of Christian work is the sinking down into a 
low-level life, where the light from another world never breaks through 
and invests things done with an invisible atmosphere. 



104 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

" This low man seeks a little thing to do, 
Sees it and does it. 
This high man, with a great thing to pursue, 
Dies ere he knows it.' 

It is the things we can never accomplish and know we can never ac- 
complish that drive us to faith and to God. 

"In our work for seamen there is a great call for patience with God. 
Faith must dominate; work must be shot through and through with faith 
and faith with work. The trite saying about city pastors preaching to a 
procession is a literal fact in the work of the seamen's chaplain. He must 
speak the word of God with power for the men will pass on, and as he 
speaks believe that God will speak through him. He is a voice crying in 
the wilderness of docks, ships, and the hundred distractions of the water- 
front. Results are hard to get, difficult to prove, but through the clemency 
of God they do come. God works in His sovereign way. When one 
thinks of the magnificent service of Damon, Trumbull, Coan and some of 
the early chaplains of the American Seamen's Friend Society in South 
America and the South Sea Islands, one is struck with their wonderful 
patience and magnificent faith in God. They aimed at results but were 
quite content if God kept them waiting. They labored and other men 
entered the fruitage of their labors, quite content that the Master of all 
good workmen had some good plan developing and they gloried in having 
a share in that plan. It is not the work we do so much as the honor of 
being called to do something in the advancement of the Kingdom of God. 
We plant the seeds, wait for the growth, and the next generation sees the 
birds nesting in the branches. 

"As we consider the great aims of a seamen's chaplain and the tasks 
that lie before him we ask who is fit for such a task. Does it not require 
men of peculiar gifts, physical powers, men full of tact, with some talent 
and education, and above everything else that divine, elusive thing called 
power? But probably some one will say the absence of most of these 
qualities in a successful seamen's chaplain shows that they are not absolutely 
necessary. But who is fit for this great task and who is sufficient for all 
these things? 

'Is it not he who has tarried so long in the garden with his Master that 
he carries the aroma of Gethsemane in his garments, who has looked 
into His face until the divine glory is reflected back? For, after all, it 
is not what we are but what God can make of us. It all comes back to 
the great elemental truth of our relation to God. We have not chosen 
Him, but He has chosen us, and appointed us that we should go forth 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 105 

and bear fruit in His name. Let us tarry then until we are touched by 
His Spirit and summoned by His voice, for apart from Him we can do 
nothing, and in Him we can do all things, even the impossible things, 
through Him that enables us." 

At this meeting Rev. Mr. Small offered to publish a directory of societies 
and Institutes working for the salvation of seamen. He said the Boston 
Seamen's Aid Society had done this some nine years ago, but now thought 
that owing to many changes a revised one was necessary. Rev. E. W. 
Matthews, Secretary of the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, London, 
and Rev. George McPherson Hunter thanked him for the kind offer. It 
seemed to be the feeling of the meeting that such a directory would be very 
useful in the work. Mr. Sherrard, of New Orleans, in a few words ex- 
pressed this view. 

Immediately after the afternoon session the delegates adjourned to the 
stewards' quarters," which had been set apart for their special use during 
the Conference, where Mrs. Hunter gave a reception to the chaplains and 
the visitors. 

THE CLOSE OF THE CONFERENCE 

Next to a good beginning comes a good ending. Our first Conference 
of chaplains and the celebration of the Eightieth Anniversary were fittingly 
brought to a close by the chaplains sitting down to the Lord's Supper. 
The Secretary of the Society, Rev. George McPherson Hunter, presided, 
and was assisted by the Rev. T. Johnstone Irving and Rev. A. Wollesen. 
Simplicity and reverence marked the service and a profound reverential 
hush prevailed in the chapel as the hymns were sung and prayer offered. 
Mr. Irving spoke briefly, clearly and forcefully, leading us into the heart 
of God's atoning sacrifice for sin and the unifying power of the cross. All 
through the service the words of the old Scotch version of the Psalm 
kept ringing in our ears : 

"Behold how good a thing it is 
And how becoming well, 
Together such as brethren are 
In unity to dwell." 

No better conclusion could have been possible for the first Conference 
of the chaplains of the Society. To have a small Conference of about 
thirty men with six different nationalities present, as many different de- 
nominations, so many varying degrees of education and culture, broad 
and narrow school .men, meet for a whole week without jar or wrangling 



106 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

and in the spirit of Christian unity was no small achievement. It was 
accomplished with great success. The chaplains know each other better 
and are united in the bonds of a holy love and purpose to seek the advance- 
ment of the kingdom of God on the sea. 

Unto Htm who hath loved us and loosed us from our sins and called us 
unto His holy service through the blood of His own Son be the glory nozv 
and forever. Amen. 



Zbc work for Seamen 
is bone b£ few! 

(Sob asks tbat a part 
be bone b^ \>on. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 107 



SEAMEN'S CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD 

The question of a union of Christian seamen Was brought up and dis- 
cussed fully and in the best possible spirit, as were all the other discussions 
on the various topics. There has been a feeling among the chaplains of 
the American Seamen's Friend Society that something should be done to 
unite Christian seamen of all nationalities and creeds. In such a union 
or brotherhood the danger is to make it too broad, that it would dissipate 
its energies and die, or become purely local and be used for purposes com- 
mendable enough in themselves, but lacking universality of plan and pur- 
pose. Any chaplain can form an organization to help his local work 
financially or socially, such things have been done with varying success. 
But a world-wide movement capable of embracing in its fold men of all 
nations must have three things : 

I. A great divine motive. 

II. Broad catholic plan. 

III. Be worthy of a man's living and dying for it. 

In very brief terms the Seamen's Christian Brotherhood is a union of 
Christian men for the purpose of making other seamen Christians. Therein 
lies the thought and the appeal of this movement for seamen. It challenges 
a man to heroism by calling him to die to self, live to righteousness and 
for the salvation of other seamen. 

After much deliberation and prayer it was ultimately agreed that: 

A union or brotherhood of seamen be founded. 

That it be known as "The Seamen's Christian Brotherhood." 

That all seamen, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and striving to 
follow Him in life and service, be eligible for membership. 

That workers and helpers on shore, who are believers, may become 
associate members. 

Members and associates are requested to wear a badge. The design of 
which badge will be a fac-simile of the adopted flag. 

Card of membership will be given, and an efficient means of communica- 
tion between the chaplains (or missionaries) respecting the members will 
be made. 

The design of the badge, etc., will be left in the hands of the executive 
of the American Seamen's Friend Society and the British and Foreign 
Sailors' Society. 

Each member and associate will be provided with the Bible reading notes 
of the International Bible Reading Association. 



108 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

the objects of the brotherhood 

a. To seek the salvation of all seamen. 

b. The systematic reading and study of God's Word. 

c. Sympathetic co-operation on behalf of seamen in prayer and effort. 

d. Honoring the Lord's Day. 

e. The promotion of temperance, also purity in word and conduct 

among the men of the sea. 

ADOPTION OF FLAG AND BADGE 

The Conference on the above subject proved to be one of the most 
important in the whole session. Although set for Monday morning, it 
was brought up at intervals during the week and was finally settled. At 
an early stage of the consideration of the matter, it was referred to a 
special committee composed of the following brethren : Chaplains Nutchey, 
Rotterdam; Tuttle, Gloucester; Stuckenbrok, Brunswick; Sarner, Galves- 
ton. Later on the names of the Rev. George McPherson Hunter and Rev. 
E. W. Matthews were added. And it was unanimously agreed that respect- 
ing the question of flag and design thereon, William Elling, of the Loan 
Library Department, be consulted. 

flag 

Flag: The recommendation of the committee was that a uniform flag 
be adopted for the use of the various stations (or auxiliaries) of the 
American Seamen's Friend Society. In the event of some of these having 
a flag which may have in the course of time endeared itself by many 
hallowed and blessed associations, full sanction be given to use such a 
flag. Regarding stations abroad receiving support from the American Sea- 
men's Friend Society and the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, it is 
recommended that both flags be used. 

The flag suggested is as shown at the Conference with the addition of a 
white dove. 

The flag will be emblematic; oblong and of suitable dimensions; blue 
ground, white cross in the centre, a red five-pointed star in left upper 
corner and a white dove. 

The star emblematic of the 
Star of Bethlehem, - Incarnation of Jesus Christ. 

The Cross, __-._•- Atonement for sin. 

The Dove. -'•-■-.-..- Holy Spirit. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 109 

BADGE 

The badge suggested Is a button in form of a life buoy with the initials 
S. C. B. in red, white and blue, and the emblem of the flag in the centre. 

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE SEAMEN'S 
CHRISTIAN BROTHERHOOD 

Article I. — Name. 
This Brotherhood shall be called the "Seamen's Christian Brotherhood." 

Article II. — Headquarters. 
The American headquarters shall be the American Seamen's Friend 
Society, 76 Wall Street, New York City. The European headquarters 
shall be the British and Foreign Sailors' Society, 680 Commercial Road, 
London E., England. 

Article III. — Emblems. 

The Emblems of this Brotherhood shall be a marine blue flag, with a 

white cross in the centre, a red five-pointed star in left upper corner and 

a white dove ; and a button in the form of a life buoy with the initials 

S. C. B. in red, white and blue and the emblems of the flag in the centre. 

Article IV. — Object. 
The object of this Brotherhood shall be to unite all Christian seamen, 
chaplains, workers and friends of the sailor in a sympathetic endeavor 
to bring all seamen to acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Saviour, and to 
encourage them to. witness for Him before their shipmates and natives of 
the countries they visit. 

Article Y. — Membership. 
The membership of this Brotherhood shall be Christian seamen, chap- 
lains, workers of the above mentioned Societies and friends of the sailor 
in every port. 

Article AT. — Officers. 
The Officers of this Brotherhood shall be the chaplain of the local 
auxiliary of the American Seamen's Friend Society and the British and 
Foreign Sailors' Society, and whom he shall appoint to assist him in carry- 
ing out the objects of this Brotherhood in the most efficient manner. 

Article VII. — Meetings. 
Meetings shall be held weekly in the Institute or Bethel of the local 



110 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

auxiliary of the above mentioned Societies at such time as the chaplain 
shall designate. 

BY-LAWS. 
Duties of Chaplains. 

i. 

The chaplains of the local auxiliary of the American Seamen's Friend 
Society and the British and Foreign Sailors' Society shall conduct all 
.meetings, appoint all officers and fill all vacancies caused by death or 
otherwise. 

II. 

Chaplains of the local auxiliary of the above mentioned Societies shall 
issue cards of membership and forward the names of members every three 
months to headquarters at New York and London, also give to members 
cards of introduction to the chaplain of the local auxiliary of the port to 
which his vessel is bound. Chaplains shall welcome said members and 
endeavor to make their stay on shore as pleasant as possible. 

in. 

It is recommended that chaplains observe the first Sunday in October 
of each year as Brotherhood Day. Shall preach a sermon suitable to the 
occasion, also shall endeavor to have the pastors of churches present the 
cause of seamen to their people on that day. 

IV. 

Chaplains shall procure a flag, the emblem of this Brotherhood and 
display it upon their buildings. 

v. 
Chaplains shall keep a supply of the buttons and shall earnestly request 
all members to purchase and wear the same. 

Duties of Members. 

i. 

Application for membership shall be made to the chaplain of the local 
auxiliary of the above mentioned Societies. 

ii. 

Members shall fill out the application blanks, subscribe to the rules, 
purchase and wear the emblem of this Brotherhood. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 111 

PRESENTATION OF THE WOMAN'S CHRIS- 
TIAN TEMPERANCE UNION FOUNTAIN 

The Conference proper closed on Friday, October 9, 1908, but an im- 
portant function still remained to be performed and it made an interesting 
postlude to the whole week's celebration. 

We are indebted to the Woman's Christian Temperance Union for much 
valuable aid in providing loan libraries and literature for the sailors; so 
there was a peculiar fitness in their having an important part in the new 
Sailors' Institute. Chiefly through the energy of Miss Emma Alexander, 
State Superintendent Work Among Seamen, Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union of New York, a magnificent Carrara marble fountain stands 
in the hallway of the new Institute. She has been most assiduous in her 
efforts to raise money for the fountain, and with commendable judgment 
had sought to make the gifts towards the fountain come from all over the 
State of New York, in this way adding a peculiar value and spreading 
the interest so that many good folks who were away from the sea, yet 
nevertheless influenced by the sea, had a share in this work. 

An interesting program had been arranged and a number of speakers 
invited, including the Rev. Edgar W. Work, Fourth Presbyterian Church, 
New York; Mrs. Emilie D. Martin, World's and National Superintendent 
Purity in Literature and Art, Woman's Christian Temperance Union; 
Mrs. Ella Hoover Thacher, World's National Superintendent Soldiers' 
and Sailors' Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and Mrs. Emma 
Bourne, President New Jersey Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 
The President of the American Seamen's Friend Society, Rev. C. A. 
Stoddard, D.D., presided and introduced the various speakers. A large 
number of children present brightened the whole proceedings by their 
singing, and the graceful ceremony of unveiling the fountain. After which 
the Secretary of the Society responded and accepted the gift in behalf 
of the Society. 

We had no means of getting all the speeches as most of them were 
delivered extemporaneously; ladies, as a rule, not being so dependent 
upon manuscript as men. Nevertheless, we are glad to have the speech of 
Mrs. Frances W. Graham, President New York State Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union, which was delivered with elegance and force. 

WHAT AMERICA SHOULD MEAN TO THE FOREIGNER 

We are told that in the days of the Civil War when thousands of Union 
soldiers were suffering in southern prisons, they commonly and familiarly 



112 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



spoke of the North as "God's country." It was the burden of their talk 
by day and the subject of their troubled dreams by night. If they could 
only get back to God's country, if only to die there, they were content. 




WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION FOUNTAIN 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 113 

So to the foreigner coming to America to make his home here, this 
should mean God's country with all that the term implies — nothing less. 

To the foreigner coming from any country but England and possibly 
France, a home in this land should mean a release from bondage almost 
as great as the exodus meant to the .children of Israel, or Lincoln's pro- 
clamation meant to the slaves of the South. It should mean to him release 
from restraint and freedom of opportunity, such as his wildest dreams have 
never shown. It should mean first of all freedom to worship God in his 
own way, without dictation of priest or ruler. I speak of this first because 
I believe that freedom of conscience is the underlying principle of all our 
greatness as a people. 

I am not a Puritan, nor so far as I know the descendant of one, but 
I believe that the grandest body of men and women that ever came across 
the Atlantic was that little band of so-called narrow-minded, bigoted, 
uncharitable, stingy pilgrims, that came over in that little boat, the 
Mayflower, and landed on that bleak, inhospitable New England shore 
on December 22, 1620. The impelling force that brought those people to 
this country was not a desire to get rich, nor a plan to found a new nation, 
but the determination to be free, free, free to worship God, and it is 
always with great reverence that I sing the words of the old hymn : 

"Preserved by Thine almighty hand, 
Our exiled fathers crossed the sea ; 
And when they trod the wintry strand, 
With prayer and praise they worshipped Thee." 

On that bleak Atlantic coast, that little band of bigots— fanatics if you 
please — cranks we would call them in these days — planted and nurtured the 
tree of liberty so that it grew and grew until the oppressed of all nations 
— no, of nearly all — are sheltered beneath its branches. We may sneer as 
we please at the old blue laws of the Puritans that would not even allow 
a man to kiss his wife on Sunday, and more to the same effect, but these 
old laws helped to grow strong men, virtuous women and obedient 
children. 

These men and women of old, God bless their memory and keep it for- 
ever green, made this country God's country where the Sabbath meant 
a day of rest and not a day of rioting and drunkenness; where people went 
to church on Sunday and not to a beer garden, and may God forbid that 
any people at any time, far or near, shall be able to make it over into a 
cheap imitation of continental Europe. 

Our fathers and our mothers made this God's country, may the later 



114 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

arrivals from other lands help to keep it so, not because we want it so — 
although I fully believe in giving the people the abundant right to keep 
this land what our fathers made it — but because it is for the highest, most 
abounding and eternal good of all men, women and children, that this 
country should be and continue nOw and forever to be God's country. 

Again, America ought to mean to the foreigner a place where it is easy 
to do right and unnecessary to do wrong. If there is a country in the 
world in which it is unneccesary to do wrong, that country is here, and 
if we would cut off that vile excrescence upon our body politic, the 
licensed saloon, the foreigners coming here would be immeasurably less 
liable to fall into wrongdoing than they are now. We assume that as a 
rule the foreigner who comes to our shores comes with the intention of 
being a good citizen, and indeed they mostly are so until the saloon 
changes some of them into idle, discontented, disorderly grumblers and 
vagabonds. Of course some of the foreigners coming to this country will 
fall among thieves. This happened to the traveller from Jerusalem to 
Jericho, and it has been happening ever since, but if we would shut up the 
saloons the robberies of this sort would soon be reduced to a minimum. 

America should mean to the foreigner a land where his home is his 
castle and where the comforts of that home will be only measured by his 
own industry, frugality and good health ; a home in which his wife is the 
queen, and where his boys and girls may grow into manhood and woman- 
hood of a stature and grace unattainable in" any country but this, because 
elsewhere conditions are not favorable to such growth. 

This you will say is a fine picture, and it is, and I declare to you that 
it is in no wise overdrawn; that indeed I am in no way capable of doing 
this subject justice. America ought to and might mean all of this to 
the foreigner coming here to make his home, but we very well know that 
a fool or a mad man may destroy in an instant a picture that has cost the 
artist possibly years of painstaking effort. 

So the mad lust for strong drink and the vices that accompany its use 
fostered and abetted by the licensed saloon may make of this picture 
a hideous mockery, and the heartbreaking part is that men calling them- 
selves Christians will sell to the saloon keeper the right to debauch, 
degrade, to plunder and murder the people coming to us with the right 
to expect better things. 

"Woe unto them who justify the wicked for a reward." 

Some of the visiting chaplains and a large number of our friends were 
gathered and the proceedings closed with a benediction by Rev. William 
Bishop Gates, Wells Memorial Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. 



of the American Seamen's Friend Society 115 



A WORD OF THANKS 

We are indebted to many societies' for help and favors of different 
kinds. Our old friends, the American Bible Society and the American 
Tract Society, have done great things for us whereof we are grateful. 
The various coastwise, ocean steamship, railroad, and transportation com- 
panies have been benefactors to us and the shipwrecked and destitute 
seamen. The White Star Steamship Company and the International Mer- 
cantile Marine Company have appropriated to the Society a portion of the 
collections at the concerts given in the salons of their ships, and a few 
collections have been sent by other steamship lines. As the American 
Seamen's Friend Society retains but one-fourth and divides three-fourths 
of the concert moneys between three other worthy sailor charities, it is 
desirable that other steamship lines should follow the example of the 
White Star and the International, and that passengers should contribute 
more largely at the concerts. Since the Institute was opened the Marine 
Superintendents of the large steamship companies have been helpful and 
kindly in granting passes to their wharfs without which the Institute would 
not have attained its phenomenal success. 

RECEIPTS YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1909 
Recapitulation 

Maine $42 91 

New Hampshire ? 4 50 

Massachusetts 3,560 57 

Rhode Island 300 36 

Connecticut 839 14 

New York 45,646 32 

New Jersey 861 51 

Pennsylvania 155 00 

District of Columbia 20 00 

Ohio 979 50 

Wisconsin 5 00 

Michigan 15 00 

Tennessee 5 00 

Oklahoma 1 48 

California 1 00 

Scotland 2 44 

$52,439 73 



116 



An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 



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of the American Seamen's Friend Society 117 

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY 

FROM ITS ORGANIZATION 

PRESIDENTS 

Elected 

Hon. Smith Thompson 1828 

Adrian van Sinderen 1831 

David W. C. Olyphant 1840 

Anson G. Phelps . .. 1841 

Capt. Edward Richardson 1841 

Pelatiah Perit 1848 

William A. Booth 1856 

Richard P. Buck 1873 

Reuben W. Ropes 1885 

Charles H. Trask 1891 

James W. Elwell 1896 

Rev. Charles A. Stoddard, D.D 1899 

SECRETARIES 

Corresponding 

Elected Elected 

Rev. C. P. M'Ilvaine 1828 Rev. Israel P. Warren.... 1857 

Rev. Joseph Brown 1833 Rev. S. B. S. Bissel 1860 

Rev. Jonathan Greenleaf.. 1834 Rev. Samuel H. Hall 1865 

Rev. John Spaulding 1845 Rev. W. C. Stitt 1888 

Rev. Harmon Loomis 1845 Rev. G. McPherson Hunter 1904 

Recording 
Elected Elected 

Philip Flagler 1828 Elisha D. Hurlbut 1836 

Jeremiah P. Tappan 1834 Thomas Hale 1838 

Financial 
Rev. John Spaulding, 1841 

TREASURERS 

Elected Elected 

Capt. Silas Holmes 1828 Richard P. Buck 1864 

Charles N. Talbot 1834 Rev. Samuel H. Hall 1867 

David Olyphant 1862 William C. Sturges 1881 

W. Hall Ropes, 1901 

Financial Agent 

Luther P. Hubbard, 1863-1894 

Treasurer 

Clarence C. Pinneo, 1905 



118 An Eighty Years' Record of the Work 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

Elbert A. Brinckerhoff, Theodore L. Peters, 

Englewood, N. J. 18 Wall Street, New York. 

John B. Calvert, D.D., Antqn a Raven> 

P. O. Box 2030, New York. 51 mn Street New York> 
Sylvester L. H. Ward, 

67 Wall Street, New York. Chas ' A ' Stoddard > D - D -> 

Augustus T. Post, 156 Fifth Avenue ' New York ' 

31 Nassau Street, New York. Wm, E. Stiger, 

Edward M. Cutler, 155 Broadway, New York. 

56 Pine Street, New York. DanI£L Barnes> 

Edgar L. Marston, 76 WaU Streetj New York> 

24 Broad Street, New York. 

Frederick B. Dalzell, L Gifford [ Agnew 

70 South Street, New York. 



22 William Street, New York. 



Capt. Chas. B. Parsons, John Bancrot Devins, D.D, 
6 Coenties Slip, New York. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. 

Fritz v. Briesen, Walter D. Despard, 

25 Broad Street, New York. 6 Hanover Street, New York. 

OFFICERS, 1909-1910 

President 

CHARLES A. STODDARD, D.D. 

Vice-President 

DANIEL BARNES 

Secretary 

george Mcpherson hunter 

Treasurer 

clarence c. pinneo 

Standing Committees 

Chaplaincies 

John B. Calvert, D.D., John B. Devins, D.D. Fritz v. Briesen 

Port and Sailors' Home 

Theodore L. Peters, Daniel Barnes, C. B. Parsons 

Publication and Library 

A. G. Agnew, Daniel Barnes, Theodore L. Peters 

Frederick B. Dalzell 

Finance 

Daniel Barnes, Walter D. Despard, E. M. Cutler 

Auditor t. M. CUTLER 



OCT 1 5 AW 



American Seamen's Friend Society 

Organized, May, 1828 Incorporated, April, 1833 

76 Wail Street, New York, N. Y„ IL S. A. 



CHARLES A. STODDARD, D.D., President 

DANIEL BARNES, Vice-Pres. REV, GEORGE McPHERSON HUNTER, Secretary 

CLARENCE C. PINNEO, Treasurer 



Chaplains and Missionaries in Connection with the Society, in the United States 
and in Foreign Countries During the Year Ending March 31, 1909 

U. S. of America 

New York: New York City Edward M. Deems, Ph.D. 

Brooklyn U. S. Navy Yard H G. Fithian. 

Massachusetts : Gloucester; Gloucester Fishermen's Institute, Mr. Alpheus £. Tuttle. 

Virginia : Norfolk Norfolk Port Society, Rev. J. B. JMerritt. 

Newport News. . , Virginia Mariners' Friend Society, John Golden. 

South Carolina : Charleston Charleston Port Society, Rev. V. C. Dibble. 

Florida : Pensacola Pensacola Port Society, Rev. Henry C. Cushman. 

Georgia : Savannah Savannah Port Society, H. Iverson. 

Brunswick B. Strockenbrok. 

Alabama : Mobile Seamen's Bethel. C. H. Mosley. 

Texas : Galveston Galveston Seamen's Friend Society, Rev. J. F. Sarner. 

Louisiana: New Orleans New Orleans Port Society, James Sherrard. 

Oregon : Portland Portland Sea Friend Society, Rev. E. H. Roper. 

Astoria A. B Rudd. - 

Washington : Tacoma Tacoma Seamen's Friend Society, Rev. R. S. Stubbs. 

Seattle Seattle Seamen's Friend Society, Rev. G. F. "West. 

California : San Francisco Mariners' Church, Rev. J. Rowell. 

South America 

Argentine Republic : Buenos Ayres Buenos Ayres Sailors' Home, Henry F. Fellows. 

Rosario Rosario Sailors' Home and Mission, E. Hallberg. 

Uruguay : Montevideo Montevideo Harbor Mission, Gilbert E. Martin. 

Chile : Valparaiso Rev. Frank Thompson. 

Brazil : Rio de Janeiro Rio Seamen's Mission, Mr. H. C. Tucker. 

Europe 

Sweden : Helsingborg 

Stockholm J. T. Hedstrom. 

G'ttenburg Christian Nielsen. 

Denmark : Copenhagen Rev. A. Woilesen. 

Holl.md : Rotterdam 

Germany : Hamburg British and American Sailors' Institute, George Speedie. 

Belgium : Antwerp Antwerp Seamen's Friend Society, Rev. J. Adams. 

Italy : Genoa Genoa Harbor Mission, Rev. Donald Miller, D.D. 

ZSaples Naples Harbor Mission, Rev. T. Johnstone Irving. 

Madeira : Funchai Mission to Sailors and Sailors' Rest, Rev. W. G. Smart. 

India and Japa7i 

India : Bombay Seamen's Rest, Rev. J. D. McGregor. 

Japan: Yokohama Rev. \V. T. Austen. 



HOMES FOR SEAMEN 



Institute and Sailors' Homes are encouraged by the Society in seaports. By 
their moral and religious atmosphere they are often the sole places of refuge for 
seamen from the destructive influences to which, as a class, they are always exposed 
when on shore. 



LOAN LIBRARIES, BIBLES AND TESTAMENTS FOR SHIPS 

Twenty Dollars contributed by any individual or Sabbath School will send a 
Library to sea in the name of the donor. 

Bibles and Testaments in various languages may be had at the Depository of 
the New York Bible Society, Room No. 66, Bible House, Astor Place, New York 
City, or from the chaplains of this Society. 



American Seamen's Friend Society 

76 Wall Street, New York 

Organized May, J828 Incorporated April, 1833 



Objects. 1. To improve the social, moral and religious condition of seamen; 
to protect them from imposition and fraud; to prevent them from becoming a curse 
to each other and the world; to rescue them from sin -and its consequences, and to 
save theii souls. 2. To sanctify commerce, an interest and a power in the earth, 
second only to religion itself, and make it everywhere serve as the handmaid of 
Christianity. 

Means of Accomplishment. 1. The preaching of the Gospel by Chaplains and 
Missionaries and the maintenance of Bethels, Churches, Seamen's Institutes, and 
Sailors' Homes in the principal ports of this and foreign countries. 

During the past year our Chap!ains and Missionaries have labored in New York 
City, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Gloucester, Xewport News, Norfolk, Charleston, Bruns- 
wick, Savannah. Galveston, Mobile, Pensacola, New Orleans, Astoria and Portland, 
Seattle and Tacoma. 

Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Ayres, Rosario, Montevideo, Valparaiso, Copenhagen, Hel- 
singborg, Stockholm, Gottenburg, Hamburg, Antwerp, Genoa, Naples, Funchal, Bom- 
bay and Yokohoma. 

Chaplains and Missionaries working in 45 of the great and small ports of the 
world. 

Besides preaching the Gospel to seamen on shipboard and on shore. Chaplains 
visit the sick and dying and as far as possible supply the place of parents and friends. 

2. The monthly publication of the Sailors' Magazine and Life Boat, designed to 
collect and communicate information and to enlist the sympathy and co-operation of 
Christians of every name in securing the objects of the Society. 

3. Loan Libraries, composed of carefully selected, instructive, and entertaining 
books, put up in cases containing about forty-three volumes each, for the 
use of ships' officers and crews, and placed as a general thing in the care of 
converted sailors, who thus become for the time effective missionaries, among their 
shipmates. This plan of sea-missions contemplates much more than the placing of 
a Christian Library on shipboard, in that, (l)'It places the library in the hands of 
an individual who takes it for the purpose of doing good with it, and who becomes 
morally responsible for the use made of it. (2) It usually places the library in 
charge of the Captain of the vessel. (3) It contemplates a connection between the 
sailor and the individual who furnishes the library which he reads. The donor of 
each library is informed, if he requests it, when and where it goes, and to whom 
it is entrusted; and whatever of interest is heard from it is communicated. The 
whole number of libraries sent out by the Society, to April 1, 1909, is 11,523, con- 
taining 620,808 volumes. Calculating 14,455 reshipments, they have been accessible to 
more than 445,055 men. Over 1,500 hopeful conversions at sea have been reported as 
traceable to this instrumentality. A large proportion of these libraries have been pro- 
vided by special contributions from Sabbath-schools, and are frequently heard from as 
doing good service. This work may be and should be greatly extended. 

4. The establishment of Seamen's Institutes, Sailors' Homes, Reading Rooms, Sail- 
ings Banks, the distribution of Bibles, Tracts, etc. 

The Institute for Merchant Seamen, 507 West St., New York. With rooms 
to accommodate about 200 men, banking facilities where sailors may deposit their 
wages, reading, writing, smoking rooms, billiard, and pool rooms, bowling alleys, 
shower baths, swimming tank, concert and entertainment hall to seat 400, restaurant, 
special rooms for Stewards, chapel for religious services of an interdenominational 
character, club rooms for Officers and Engineers. 

This one institution of the Society, the _ largest in the world, exerts a moral and 
spiritual influence which can never be estimated. Twelve thousand seamen lodged 
in it during its first nine months; over 10,000 men visit the Institute in a month; 
religious meetings are maintained every night in the year. 

N t E . — Twenty dollars contributed by any individual or Sabbath School zv'.ll 
send a library to sea, in the name of the donor. The Sailors' Magazine is, when asked 
for, sent gratuitously to pastors who take a yearly collection for the cause, and to life- 
members and directors, upon an annual request for the same. 



